Population size, habitats and conservation of Marquesan Imperial Pigeon Ducula galeata

Marquesan Imperial Pigeon Ducula galeata only survives on Nuku Hiva island in the Marquesas archipelago. It lives and nests mainly in small patches of forest with tall trees, in deep valleys. The population is likely to consist of only 80-150 birds. However, its forest habitat is in peril due to ove...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Bird Conservation International
Main Authors: Villard, Pascal, De Visscher, Marie-Noël, Balança, Gilles
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 2003
Subjects:
Nature and Landscape Conservation
Animal Science and Zoology
Ecology
Rattus rattus
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0959270903003150
https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0959270903003150
Description
Summary:Marquesan Imperial Pigeon Ducula galeata only survives on Nuku Hiva island in the Marquesas archipelago. It lives and nests mainly in small patches of forest with tall trees, in deep valleys. The population is likely to consist of only 80-150 birds. However, its forest habitat is in peril due to overgrazing, especially by goats, which precludes growth of young trees. Better control of feral herbivores should be a priority for the conservation of the species, as well as the cessation of poaching of this endangered pigeon. Introduced black rats Rattus rattus do not seem to be a threat for this bird.

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