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|
| Order |
Columbiformes |
| Family |
Columbidae |
| Scientific
name |
Gallicolumba santaecrusis |
|
English name |
Santa Cruz Ground-Dove |
| Alternative
name |
|
| Bislama
name(s) |
|
| Status
in Vanuatu |
Breeds in Vanuatu |
| Recent
records |
1
View
Distribution
|
| Contributions |
0
Images,
0
Recordings.
|
| This restricted range species is known only from Tinakula and Utupua islands in the Santa Cruz group and on Santo in Vanuatu where it is an uncommon Ground-Dove of the mountain forests (Bregulla, 1992). IUCN Red List Category: ENDANGERED on the basis of a small estimated population that is inferred to be declining owing to habitat loss, mammalian predators and other threats (Birdlife, 2007). This bird is extremely poorly known with few recent records and surveys are needed on Santo to determine its distribution, habitat and altitude requirements, abundance, populations of introduced predators, hunting levels and population trends (Birdlife, 2007). The mysterious Tanna Ground-Dove Gallicolumba ferruginea is known only from Forster’s 1774 painting, from Tanna island, in Tring (BirdLife 2004b). Mayr proposed the bird came from Tonga as the description fits that of G. stairi (in BirdLife, 2004b). Goodwin asserts the specific status of the taxon (in BirdLife, 2004b). Other contemporaries assume this species is based upon an error, though some suggest it might imply an extinct race of G. santaecrucis on Tanna (Bregulla, 1992). Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993) precariously included this species in their list. BirdLife (2004b) considers it an EXTINCT species. We depart from Sibley and Monroe and BirdLife with regard to this bird. Given the lack of hard evidence and at the very best an extinct status, we choose to ignore the Tanna Ground-Dove G. ferruginea. References. |
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