TASS, July 15. For the first time, ornithologists have recorded a Japanese green pigeon included in the Red Data Book about 120 km from Vladivostok on the territory of the Land of the Leopard National Park. The species is characteristic of the subtropics, and scientists associate its appearance in Primorye with warming, according to the website of the Russian Geographical Society on Wednesday.
"The Japanese green pigeon is a very rare bird for Russia. Climate change brings scientists not only unpleasant news. In the Primorskaya taiga zone, specialists of the Land of the Leopard National Park have met the second species of subtropical fauna that has not been encountered in the region before. For the first time, the science of the national park discovered on its territory a Japanese green pigeon - a thermophilic bird, usually preferring more southern latitudes, "the message says.
The usual range of the Japanese green pigeon, included in several Red Data Books, is the Japanese archipelago, the islands of Taiwan and Hainan, the southern and central regions of China and North Vietnam. In Russia, single sightings were recorded on Kunashir and in the south of Sakhalin, on the islands of the Lesser Kuril ridge and in the extreme south of Kamchatka. The Japanese green pigeon lives on high tops of trees, it is a very secretive and cautious bird and therefore poorly studied even in the main range.
"At the time of observation, a smart male Japanese green pigeon was feeding on immature fruits of the Asian bird cherry in the valley of the Forelevy stream, not far from the village of Filippovka, Khasansky district (the village is located about 120 km from Vladivostok - TASS)," the message says.
The Land of the Leopard National Park covers more than 260 thousand hectares, including the western part of the Frunzensky District of Vladivostok on the Sandy Peninsula. The Red Book Amur tigers and Far Eastern leopards live here, and every year new species of flora and fauna, new for Russia and for the first time described in the world, are recorded.
"Thanks to enhanced protection, the restoration of natural complexes is underway, the return of seemingly extinct species. The influence of general climate change is also affecting - we increasingly often have thermophilic species expanding their ranges to the north. A typical example of this is the Japanese green pigeon we noticed", - the words of the Deputy Director of the National Park for Science Yuri Darman are given in the message.
What does it look like?
There are several types of green pigeons. One of them, the Japanese green pigeon Treron sieboldii, is common in Japan, Korea, Sakhalin, the Kuril Islands and Primorye. This is the only representative of such pigeons in Russia. Others prefer subtropical and tropical climates.
The pink-necked green pigeon Treron vernans gets its name from the characteristic intense pink color of the neck and upper breast. The back, lower body and wings of this pigeon species have a yellowish green or intense green tint. This species of birds lives in South Asia, is found in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam.
Birds differ slightly in appearance. The Japanese green pigeon has a short, dense and soft plumage. He has a small head, a short neck and a fairly powerful chest. Small wings, rounded at the ends, of a more intense color than the head and body. Length - 25-30 centimeters, weight - about 300 grams.
On the ground, these birds rarely feed, prefer juicy fruits and berries (bird cherry, elderberry). Birds are extremely cautious, therefore, little studied, included in the Red Book of Russia, hunting for them is prohibited.
The pink-necked green pigeon is a small, bright, elegant bird. Length - 25-30 centimeters, weight - from 100 to 165 grams. The tints of blue, pink, orange and green plumage make these birds very elegant. The males are so brightly colored, the females have more modest plumage: the color contains green and yellowish shades.
The beak is pale blue, the paws are red-pink. The head is small, the upper part of the neck from the back of the head and back in males are painted in blue tones, the upper part of the breast is intensely pink, the breast in the middle part may have orange tints, the lower part of the body, wings, and the tail are green. The brighter the male is colored, the more attractive he is to the female.
The birds of this species also prefer fruits and fruits and are almost invisible in the branches of trees. At the same time, they are able to fly quickly and are very dexterous in flight.
The African green pigeon is 24-28 centimeters long, weighs 150-290 grams, the birds are characterized by maroon spots at the base of the wings, while the head and body are covered with green plumage. The paws are orange. Birds live throughout the African continent. The feathers on the inner side of the tail are red.
Bird lifestyle
All species of such a pigeon are very careful, they stay away from humans, inhabit deciduous forests. Therefore, there is little information about these birds with a green head. Birds fly well, are very maneuverable in the air. They feed during the day and sleep at night. They live in pairs, if migration is necessary, they form small flocks.
Due to their color and small size, the birds are almost invisible in the foliage of trees. Birds are monogamous, form a stable pair, jointly care for chicks. Nests are made in trees, at a height of 2-3 meters, they descend to the ground to drink water.
Food addiction
These pigeons do not feed on grain or seeds, they do not need fresh grass. They feed on juicy fruits and fruits that resemble parrots. Due to the abundance of food in the trees, birds rarely descend to the ground. To replenish minerals in the body, they drink sea water.
Breeding green pigeons
The dove tenderly cares for the dove. The formed pair builds a nest together. The female lays 1-2 eggs, both parents participate in incubation, if the female needs to leave in order to eat, the male sits on the clutch, he is also in the nest at night.
Feathered are caring parents capable of ensuring high survival rates for their offspring. Chicks are born naked, their plumage appears in 1.5-2 weeks. The birds feed the chick together for 4.5-5 weeks. After that, the chick begins to fly and does not need care. It becomes adult and sexually mature about 1 year.
Habitat and distribution trends
The Japanese pigeon nests on Kunashir. Distributed in Japan, Hong Kong, South and North Korea, Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands, in Primorye. Pink-necked and African pigeons prefer the tropics of South Asia and Africa. Today these birds can be found in the collections of Europe; exotic birds can be purchased in Russia as well. Of course, buying them will be quite budget-sensitive. In order for the birds to feel good, they need to create certain conditions:
- the temperature in the room where the birds are kept is not lower than +15 ° С,
- a diet consisting of fruits and fruits (apples, peaches, apricots, grapes),
- regular cleaning of the cage or dovecote.
All captive green pigeons gain weight quickly. Birds need to fly to keep their shape.
Is the green pigeon a poultry or not?
Of course, any variety of green pigeons are not poultry. Birds are easy to tame, perfectly coexist with each other. Since these birds are expensive and are brought by prior order, they are often kept in cages, like canaries or parrots.
Today exotic green pigeons began to appear in different regions of Russia. They are expensive, but for a person in love with these birds, they become a desirable acquisition. Since Asian and African varieties are easy to tame, with minimal knowledge and experience, they are easy to keep in a cage or aviary. The main thing is to remember that they need to fly, since birds imprisoned in a close confined space quickly get fat and lose their flying skills.
