São Tomé olive pigeon


The São Tomé olive pigeon or maroon pigeon is an endangered species of pigeon which is endemic to the island of São [Tomé Island|São Tomé] off the coast of western Africa. It was described by José Vicente Barbosa du Bocage in 1888.

Description

The bird is long. It has a grayish head, a burgundy body with scattered small white spots, and a bright yellow bill and legs.

Distribution

The olive pigeon occurs in several parts of the island of São Tomé, including the northwest, the central massif, the southwest and in the southeast.

Conservation and status

The continued survival of the São Tomé olive pigeon depends upon stopping habitat loss in the remaining lowland rainforest of São Tomé, as does the survival of three other birds: the São Tomé ibis, São Tomé oriole, and São Tomé scops owl.