Nicobar pigeons at Taipei Zoo breed after four-year hiatus

Want China Times, CNA and Staff Reporter 2015-08-05

Nicobar pigeon parents tend to their newborn. (Photo courtesy of Taipei Zoo)

Large pigeons at the Taipei Zoo that are the closest living relative to the extinct dodo were confirmed recently to have successfully reproduced for the first time in four years, the zoo reported on Monday.

The zoo said the breeding patterns of the zoo's Nicobar pigeons were disrupted when they moved to a smaller temporary habitat in 2012 while the main aviary was being renovated. That remained the case even after the pigeons moved back to the new aviary, which was opened in 2013.

It was only in March this year that the zoo began observing the pigeons displaying signs of courtship and nest building, and it was not until July 30 that the zoo had visual confirmation that the eggs laid down this year had hatched.

At present, there are three such nests atop a tree above a pond, with female and male pigeons taking turns to hatch eggs and care for the young. The pigeons are on watch for anything that approaches the nest, the zoo said.

Nicobar pigeons are monogamous. During a courtship that can last a number of days when the breeding season arrives, the male courts the female by frequent bowing and then starts collecting twigs and other materials to build nests.

The pigeon, originally found in Southeast Asia, has bright green feathers and the upper part of the dark bill forms a small blackish knob. Measuring 40 centimeters in length, it is the closest living relative of the dodo, which became extinct in the 17th century. The conservation status of the Nicobar pigeon is listed as near threatened because of a shrinking habitat, human hunting and problems finding food.

The female can lay one or two oval eggs in the nest, and they take about 30 days to hatch. The baby starts to grow feathers after 10 days and has full metallic green feathers in 70-80 days, though it may remain in the nest for a certain period of time.