Back from the Brink - Pink Pigeon - Mauritius Island

Mauritius ranks as no 1 in the world in its conservation efforts to save five critically endangered bird species from extinction. One of these, the Pink Pigeon, Nesoenas mayeri (syn. Columba mayeri ) was likely to have become extinct by 2004 if conservation action had not taken place.

In 1990 there were only nine pigeons left. There are now more than 380 birds returned to the wild (April 2007), in five populations following an intensive rescue programme. One population is located on Ile aux Aigrettes, an island refuge for around 85 of them. This island is located off the coast of Mauritius near Mahebourg.

In Mauritius this pigeon is called Pigeon des Mares. It is medium-sized, about 36 - 38 cm, with a pink upper body, brown wings and a rusty- brown tail. During the breeding season (which begins in August/September), the male courts the female with a "step and bow" display. Mating is generally monogamous; the pair makes a flimsy platform nest and defends a small area around it.

The female usually lays 2 white eggs, with incubation of 2 weeks. The female sits on the nest during the night and early day then the male takes over for the rest of the day. They breed often and lay 5 to 10 eggs. Males remain fertile until 17 – 18 years of age, females until 10 – 11 years of age.

They feed on both indigenous and exotic species – shoots, leaves, flowers and fruit and insects. Initially the pigeons had no natural predators but now introduced animals such as macaque monkeys, mongoose, rats and feral cats are a problem. Severe habitat clearing is another problem and cyclones destroy nests and accelerate habitat degradation.

The Pink Pigeon is on the IUCN 2009 Red List of Threatened Species.

The captive breeding and reintroduction program was initiated and supported by the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust and largely carried out by the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (MWF).

References:
BirdLife International 2008. Nesoenas mayeri.
Butchart, S., et al, 2006, How Many Bird Extinctions Have We Prevented? FFI. Oryx. 40(3). 266-278
Charlie’s Bird Blog. http://10000birds.com/mru12nov05htm.htm  

Michele Adler