Nicobar Pigeon: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Pigeons, Doves and Sparrows · day 5 of 7

Five facts

1. Unlike most pigeons, Nicobar pigeons fly in tidy columns or single file, white tails flashing like a train's rear lights.
2. Over the sea at dawn and dusk, the white tail may work like a rear light that keeps the flock together. They often fly 60 m up or more.
3. Young Nicobar pigeons lack the white tail tip, so adults can spot inexperienced birds at a glance.
4. DNA studies place the Nicobar pigeon as a plausible closest living relative of the dodo, though the evidence is weak.
5. The Nicobar is a large pigeon, 32-35 cm long, with metallic green plumage that shines like a polished car hood.

The quiz

1. How do Nicobar pigeons fly?

• In loose clouds
• In tidy columns or single file (correct)
• Alone only
• In a circle

They fly in tidy columns or single file.

2. How high do they often fly above the sea?

• At least 60 m (correct)
• About 6 m
• About 600 m
• About 6,000 m

They often fly at least 60 m above the water.

3. What do young Nicobar pigeons lack?

• Green feathers
• A beak
• A white tail tip (correct)
• Wings

Young birds lack the white tail tip.

4. The Nicobar pigeon may be the closest living relative of which extinct bird?

• The moa
• The great auk
• The passenger pigeon
• The dodo (correct)

DNA studies place it as a plausible closest relative of the dodo.

5. How long is a Nicobar pigeon?

• 32-35 cm (correct)
• 12-15 cm
• 60-70 cm
• 1 m

It is a large pigeon, 32-35 cm long.

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