Sri Lanka Woodpigeon
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Sri Lanka Woodpigeon
The Sri Lanka Woodpigeon (Columba torringtoni) is a pigeon which is an endemic resident breeding bird in the mountains of Sri Lanka. In Sri Lanka, this bird is known as Maila Goya in Sinhala Language. This Wood-pigeon in a 25c Sri Lankan postal stamp. Identification The Sri Lanka Woodpigeon is 36 cm in length. Its upperparts and tail are dark grey, and the head and underparts are lilac, becoming paler on the belly. There is a black-and-white chessboard pattern on the nape. Behaviour This species nests in damp evergeen woodlands in the central highlands, building a stick nest in a tree and laying a single white egg measures about 38.5 X 28.2 mm.. Its flight is quick, with the regular beats and an occasional sharp flick of the wings which are characteristic of pigeons in general. Most of its food is vegetable. Normally silent it utters an owl-like hoo call in the breeding season. The breeding season is from February to May, and again from August to October. Locations Forests, gardens. Breeding Grounds- Mainly Hill country descending to Low country Wet Zone during fruiting seasons. Very small population hence Very Rare. This pigeon can be quite easily seen in the woods of the Horton Plains National Park. |
Sri Lanka 