Green-headed pigeon (SciiFii)

The green-headed pigeon (Neohemiphaga viridis) is a species of pigeon that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced throughout the rainforests, wetlands, forests, and open woodlands across North America to help boost biodiversity. Despite resembling the kererū, also known as the New Zealand pigeon, of New Zealand, the closest living relative of the green-headed pigeon is the band-tailed pigeon (Patagioenas fasciata). The green-headed pigeon is a large, 550–850 grams (19–30 oz), arboreal pigeon. Its morphology is that of a typical pigeon, in that it has a relatively small head, a straight soft-based bill and loosely attached feathers. It also displays typical pigeon behaviour, which includes drinking by suction, a wing-threat display, hitting with the wing when threatened, a diving display flight, a 'bowing' display, ritualised preening and 'billing' during courtship. The mainland green-headed pigeon grows to some 51 centimetres (20 inches) in length and 650 grams (23 oz) in weight, compared to 55 centimetres (22 inches) and 800 grams (28 oz) for the island-dwelling variant. Green-headed pigeons make occasional soft coo sounds (hence the onomatopoeic names), and their wings make a very distinctive "whooshing" sound as they fly. The bird's flight is also distinctive. Birds will often ascend slowly before making impressively steep parabolic dives. Green-headed pigeons are primarily frugivorous, preferring fruits from native trees, but also eating leaves, flowers, buds, and fruits from non-native trees. In the breeding season, male green-headed pigeons perform display flights, where the bird ascends steeply and appears to stall at the top of the flight, before a steep swooping descent. Courtship display includes the male turning around on a perch adjacent to a female, placing the tip of the bill into a wing, and stretching out his neck while bowing his head. The male then bounces up and down with his bill resting on his chest. He will then mate with the female if she is receptive. Green-headed pigeons nest in trees, laying two to three eggs, in a flimsy nest constructed of a few twigs thrown together. The eggs are incubated for 28–29 days, with male and female birds taking turns to incubate the eggs in shifts of around six hours and the young bird takes another 30–45 days to fledge. The male and female birds feed crop milk to hatchlings. In seasons of plentiful fruit the pigeons can successfully nest up to four times. The conservation status of the green-headed pigeon is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts, the green-headed pigeon's wide range and its wide range and its tolerance to many of the human activities.
Category:Animals
Category:Species
Category:SciiFii