São Tomé olive pigeon explained

The São Tomé olive pigeon or maroon pigeon (Columba thomensis) is an endangered species of pigeon which is endemic to the island of São Tomé off the coast of western Africa. It was described by José Vicente Barbosa du Bocage in 1888.

Description

The bird is 37to long.[1]

Distribution

The olive pigeon occurs in several parts of the island of São Tomé, including the northwest (Chamiço), the central massif (Lagoa Amelia, Zampalma, Nova Ceilão, Bombaim and the valley of Rio Io Grande near Formoso Pequeno), the southwest (valleys of the rivers Xufexufe and Ana Chaves) and in the southeast (west of Água Izé, on Pico Maria Fernandes and north of São João dos Angolares).[1]

Conservation and status

The continued survival of the São Tomé olive pigeon depends upon stopping habitat loss in the remaining lowland rainforest of São Tomé, as does the survival of three other birds: the São Tomé ibis, São Tomé oriole, and São Tomé scops owl.[2]

Further reading

Notes and References

  1. [BirdLife International]
  2. Kirby, Alex. "Many threatened birds 'need help'", BBC News (March 8, 2004).