It’s irrefutable that Mother Nature is a spectacular artist. We only have to step outside and look around at all the incredible plants and animals to see some of nature’s most impressive expressions of beautiful artwork.
One such work of art is the Nicobar pigeon. The closest living relative to the sadly extinct Dodo bird has a stunning rainbow-colored coat of feathers that is sure to impress.
What a pretty bird! I don’t know about you, but Dolly Parton’s ‘Coat of Many Colors’ comes to mind.
Nicobar pigeons are primarily found in the tropical island areas of Southeast Asia, including the Philippines, India, Vietnam, the Solomon Islands, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. They stand at around one and a half feet tall with a white tail and red legs.
The Nicobar pigeon has been fortunate enough not to have any natural predators. That means they have been free to flaunt their beautiful bright colors for the whole world to see!
However, with the gradual release of non-native predators into their habitats, such as cats and rodents, the gorgeous pigeon is now being threatened with extinction. In recent times, conservation plans have been put in place to save the birds and help them flourish again.
Another reason the Nicobar pigeon is under threat is because of a unique stone they have in their stomach. The hard stone helps to grind up and digest foods that would otherwise be too hard for them, such as seeds and nuts.
The “gizzard stone” is highly sought after, and the birds are often killed to retrieve the stones for jewelry. They are also killed for their meat in some places.
Many people would love to have a Nicobar pigeon as a pet – I mean, who wouldn’t? However, being under threat of extinction, they are not easily acquired.
The closest living relative to the sadly extinct Dodo bird has a stunning rainbow-colored coat of feathers that is sure to impress.
Nicobar pigeons stand at around one and a half feet tall with a white tail and red legs.
Until recently, Nicobar pigeons have been free to flaunt their beautiful bright colors for the whole world to see!
However, the gorgeous pigeon is now being threatened with extinction.
Conservation plans have been put in place to save the birds and help them flourish again.
It would be tragic for the world to lose such a gorgeous example of Mother Nature’s artwork.
A syndicate known as the Nicobar Pigeon Species Survival Plan has been formed between many zoos worldwide. In case of extinction, around 500 birds are being housed in different institutions as “insurance.”
While there is no doubt that the Nicobar pigeons will breed in captivity and the population will grow, there is a bigger problem to worry about. Suitable habitats for these particular birds are declining at a rapid rate.
The Nicobar pigeon is a beautiful bird with its striking looks and lovely timid nature. It would be tragic for the world to lose such a gorgeous example of Mother Nature’s artwork.
Source: https://dailysquared.com/
