Creature Feature #504: Nicobar Pigeon

The beautiful Nicobar Pigeon resides in the small islands and coastal regions of the Nicobar Islands. Flocks of these large pigeons travel between islands, sleeping on offshore, predator-free islets and heading to the main lands to feed. His diet consists of fruit, seeds and buds, with grain taken when he can find it. He swallows stones to help grind up food in his crop. These gizzard stones are used in jewellery, with birds being poached for them and also for meat and the pet trade. It is closely related to the Dodo.

Nicobar Pigeons are considered Near Threatened, with populations being easily disrupted due to hunting by both humans and introduced predators. I may have to draw him again too, as this picture hardly does this magnificant bird justice.