Nilgiri wood pigeon
| Nilgiri wood pigeon | |
|---|---|
| Nilgiri wood pigeon Columba elphinstonii | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Columbiformes |
| Family: | Columbidae |
| Genus: | Columba |
| Species: | C. elphinstonii |
| Binomial name | |
| Columba elphinstonii (Sykes, 1832) | |
| ● range records | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Alsocomus elphinstonii | |
The Nilgiri wood pigeon (Columba elphinstonii) is large pigeon found in the moist deciduous forests and sholas of the Western Ghats in southwestern India. They are mainly frugivorous and forage in the canopy of dense hill forests. They are best identified in the field by their large size, dark colours and the distinctive checkerboard pattern on their nape.