Sri Lanka Wood-pigeon

Taxobox
name = Sri Lanka Woodpigeon
status = VU | status_system = IUCN3.1
trend = down
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Columbiformes
familia = Columbidae
genus = " Columba"
species = "C. torringtoni"
binomial = "Columba torringtoni"
binomial_authority = Bonaparte, 1854

The Sri Lanka Woodpigeon ("Columba torringtoni") is a pigeon which is an endemic resident breeding bird in the mountains of Sri Lanka.

This species nests in damp evergeen woodlands in the central highlands, building a stick nest in a tree and laying a single white egg. Its flight is quick, with the regular beats and an occasional sharp flick of the wings which are characteristic of pigeons in general. Most of its food is vegetable. Normally silent it utters an owl-like "hoo" call in the breeding season.

The Sri Lanka Woodpigeon is 36 cm in length. Its upperparts and tail are dark grey, and the head and underparts are lilac, becoming paler on the belly. There is a black-and-white chessboard pattern on the nape.

This pigeon can be quite easily seen in the woods of the Horton Plains National Park.

References

* Database entry includes a range map, a brief justification of why this species is vulnerable, and the criteria used
* "Birds of India" by Grimmett, Inskipp and Inskipp, ISBN 0-691-04910-6

External links

* [http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/search/species_search.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=2465&m=0 BirdLife Species Factsheet.]