Goura victoria [Fraser, 1844 ]

Goura victoria

General description:

Crowned-pigeons are the largest pigeons in the world, immediately distinguished by the spectacular crest of lacy feathers on their heads, for which they earn their common name. Widely regarded as ranking amongst some of the most handsome of all pigeons, the Victoria crowned-pigeon is a large steely blue-grey bird with deep maroon plumage below, a pale grey wing patch and striking red eyes. However, the true splendour of this bird comes from the magnificent adornment of its white-tipped, fan-shaped crest, so large and beautiful that it has sadly attracted widespread hunting of the species.

Conservation status:

Vulnerable

Diagnostic description:

Behaviour:

Phylogeny:

Taxonomy:

Lophyrus Victoria Fraser, 1844, islands in Geelvink Bay, New Guinea. Members of genus unique amongst pigeons in having no gallbladder; also lack oil-gland and have reticulate scaling on the strong, thick legs; 16 rectrices; they have no obvious close relatives. Present species hybridizes with G. cristata along R Siriwo in NW New Guinea. Two subspecies recognized. (source: Handbook of the Birds of World)

Distribution:

Subspecies and Distribution:

* victoria (Fraser, 1844) - Yapen and Biak in Geelvink Bay. * beccarii Salvadori, 1876 - N New Guinea from R Siriwo E to Astrolobe and Collingwood Bays.

Habitat:

Occupies swamp and sago palm forests, as well as drier forests, usually in the extreme lowlands, but sometimes to 600 m above sea level. BEHAVIOUR: This gregarious pigeon forages on the forest floor in groups of two to ten individuals, and roosts in shrubs and trees at night.

Trophic strategy:

Diet consists of fallen fruit, berries and seeds, as well as the occasional snail.

IUCN Red List Assessment:

Red List Category

Vulnerable

Red List Criteria

A2cd+3cd+4cd

Version

3.1

Year Assessed

2008

Assessor/s

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s

Bird, J., Butchart, S. & Dutson, G.

Contributor/s

Beehler, B., Bishop, K., Burrows, I. & Gregory, P.

Justification

This species is categorised as Vulnerable because its population is suspected to be rapidly declining through logging and hunting. It is particularly easy to hunt as it is tame, gregarious, and flushed birds are easy to shoot from their low perches. However, there are few quantitative data and new information may lead to its reclassification.

History

2004

Vulnerable
2000

Vulnerable
1996

Vulnerable
1994

Vulnerable

License	http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
Rights holder/Author	© International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
Source	http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/106002755

IUCN Red List Assessment:

Red List Category

Near Threatened

Red List Criteria

Version

3.1

Year Assessed

2013

Assessor/s

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s

Butchart, S.

Contributor/s

Beehler, B., Bishop, K., Burrows, I., Gregory, P. & Dutson, G.

Justification

This species has been downlisted to Near Threatened as it is no longer suspected to be undergoing rapid declines since hunting pressure is no longer thought to represent a significant threat. Nevertheless, moderately rapid ongoing declines are still suspected to be taking place owing to the impacts of selective logging and the development of oil-palm plantations in its lowland forest habitat.

History

2012

Vulnerable (VU)
Vulnerable (VU)
Vulnerable (VU)
Vulnerable (VU)
Vulnerable (VU)
Vulnerable (VU)
Threatened (T)

License	http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
Rights holder/Author	International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
Source	http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/22691874

Status:

Classified as Vulnerable (VU A2bcd+3bcd) on the IUCN Red List 2004 (1) and listed on Appendix II of CITES (3). Two subspecies are recognised: G. v. victoria and G. v. beccarii (4).

License	http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
Rights holder/Author	Copyright Wildscreen 2003-2008
Source	http://www.arkive.org/victoria-crowned-pigeon/goura-victoria/

Vulnerable

License	http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
Rights holder/Author	Katerina Tvardikova
Source	http://pngbirds.myspecies.info/content/goura-victoria

Population:

Population

Preliminary population estimate requiring further documentation

Population Trend

Decreasing

License	http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
Rights holder/Author	© International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
Source	http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/106002755

Population:

Population

The population size is preliminarily estimated to fall into the band 2,500-9,999 individuals. This equates to 1,667-6,666 mature individuals, rounded here to 1,500-7,000 mature individuals.

Population Trend

Decreasing

License	http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
Rights holder/Author	International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
Source	http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/22691874

Threats:

Major Threats

It is prized by hunters for meat and, to a lesser extent, for its feathers³. Nestlings are also taken to be reared for food⁴. Around populated areas, it has been hunted to local extirpation or survives only in forests many hours or days walk away from the nearest village^1,3,8. It has become extirpated from the vicinity of some transmigration settlements in Papua where it had survived constant hunting from indigenous people⁸. Lowland forests (such as in the Sepik basin)⁹, particularly on the flat terrain favoured by this species, are threatened by logging, and logging roads open up access to hunters^5,7,8. The reduction in shotguns in Papua New Guinea means a reduced threat in that nation⁹. Capture for trade may also be significant⁸.

License	http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
Rights holder/Author	© International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
Source	http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/106002755

Threats:

Major Threats

It is prized by hunters for meat and, to a lesser extent, for its feathers (K. D. Bishop in litt. 1994). Nestlings are also taken to be reared for food (K. D. Bishop in litt. 1999). It has become extirpated from the vicinity of some transmigration settlements in Papua where it had survived constant hunting from indigenous people (King and Nijboer 1994), but elsewhere it does appear to persist close to habitation and close to hunters (G. Dutson in litt. 2013). The species is fairly difficult to hunt without a shotgun (which are essentially no longer available in New Guinea) as it flushes at considerable distance (c.40 m) and perches high in the middle-story, out of the reach of hunters with bows, and thus hunting represents less of a threat than previously feared (B. Beehler in litt. 2012, G. Dutson in litt. 2013). Lowland forests (such as in the Sepik basin), particularly on the flat terrain favoured by this species, are threatened by selective logging and the development of oil palm plantations, as well as logging roads opening up access to hunters (King and Nijboer 1994, I. Burrows in litt. 1994, P. Gregory in litt. 1994, B. Beehler in litt. 2012). Capture for trade may also be significant (King and Nijboer 1994).

License	http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
Rights holder/Author	International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
Source	http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/22691874

Threats:

These beautiful birds have suffered rapid population declines as a result of habitat destruction and hunting (8). Prized by poachers, Victoria crowned-pigeons are hunted for their meat, while nestlings are collected and reared for food (5). Their beautiful feathers and crest are also coveted, with the bird popular in the illegal pet trade and their feathers occasionally used by local people for head-dresses (4) (8). Sadly, poaching continues despite the bird being protected in many areas (8). Victoria crowned-pigeons are easily shot or taken by hunters because of their large size, tame and gregarious nature, and the fact that they fly only to low perches when scared, making them easy targets (1) (5). In addition, rainforest destruction continues at an alarming rate, with lowland forests threatened by logging and the associated logging roads facilitating greater access for hunters (2) (8). Thus, these beautiful, large birds have become threatened in all areas populated and accessible to man, and are now absent from large tracts of forest (3).

License	http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
Rights holder/Author	Copyright Wildscreen 2003-2008
Source	http://www.arkive.org/victoria-crowned-pigeon/goura-victoria/

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions

Conservation Actions Underway
CITES Appendix II. It is protected by law in Papua New Guinea.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Survey suitable habitat between Astrolabe Bay and Collingwood Bay. Determine populations in study areas such as the Wapoga River. Assess hunting levels through discussion with local hunters. Investigate population trends through discussion with local hunters. Ascertain tolerance of logged forest. Monitor numbers traded. Establish more wildlife protection areas in lowlands and develop captive breeding programmes. Enforce protection in uninhabited reserve areas. Launch public awareness programmes to reduce hunting. Utilise as a flagship species in ecotourism ventures.

License	http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
Rights holder/Author	International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
Source	http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/22691874

New Guinea Birds

Species

Goura victoria Fraser, 1844

Primary tabs

Goura victoria

EOL Text

IUCN

Menu

Search form

You are here

Species

Goura victoria Fraser, 1844

Primary tabs

EOL Text

IUCN