Nicobar Pigeon Is The Closest Living Relative Of The Dodo

Similar to dinosaurs, dodo birds are extinct on this planet yet continue to be represented in popular culture. In this lifetime, we would likely never get the chance to observe a dodo bird. But fortunately for us, we still have the opportunity to witness the Nicobar pigeon, which is the famed dodo bird’s closest surviving relative. Despite being linked to the extinct flightless bird of Mauritius Island, these lovely pigeons didn’t resemble the dodo bird at all.

The Indian Nicobar Islands are home to these lovely birds. They evolved their colorful, iridescent plumage as a result of the small islands’ lack of natural predators. They were able to grow vibrant, brilliant feathers that set them apart from other pigeon or dove species since they didn’t need to hide themselves from predators.

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The Nicobar pigeon and the dodo bird are both island-dwelling birds, but the Nicobar pigeon also shares the dodo bird’s propensity for extinction. Unfortunately, because of hunting, habitat loss, and the introduction of non-native predators like cats and rodents to their nesting islands, these magnificent ground-dwelling birds are classified as “near threatened.” Note that these were the same factors that caused the dodo bird to vanish from the natural world three hundred years ago. History will once again, unsurprisingly repeat itself. Will we really make the same mistake once more?

Their feathers are a range of different colors, just like a watercolor palette.

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Its 40 cm size makes it slightly bigger than other pigeons, and its upper parts are an attractive metallic blue-green and copper-bronze color.

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It is easily identified by its white tail coverts and tail, which contrast strikingly with its gleaming mane-like neck hackles.

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The size of females is smaller than that of males, and they have brown underparts and shorter neck hackles. Although it can fly quickly and powerfully over great distances, it prefers to eat only on the ground by plucking fleshy fruits and seeds from the forest floor.

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Sadly, the gizzard stones from these birds are used to produce jewelry in addition to being caught for food and the pet trade.