Status and ecology of the Nilgiri Wood Pigeon in the Western Ghats

Abstract

Conservation of the species requires a comprehensive picture on the status and distribution, ecological requirements for feeding, breeding and other activities. Ecological studies on most of the endemics have not yet been conducted and hence, such information is not available for any management programmes. Moreover, human impacts on the habitats of most species are also not understood. Hence, the present study was conducted on an endemic, endangered species of the Western Ghats which is considered as Globally Threatened, the Nilgiri Wood Pigeon Columba elphinstonii, addressing mainly its biological and ecological requirements.