Japanese Wood Pigeon

The black wood pigeon, also known as the Japanese wood pigeon, is a robust avian species and the largest of its genus, Columba. It boasts a length of approximately 37 to 43.5 cm and weighs around 550 grams. Its plumage is predominantly soot-black, with a striking iridescent sheen of green or purple adorning the crown, shoulders, and sides of the neck. The bird's small head is complemented by a longish neck and tail, and its bill is narrow and dark with a greenish-blue hue, tipped with ivory or pale yellow.

Identification Tips

Upon first glance, one might mistake the black wood pigeon for a crow during flight, due to its large wings and slightly fanned tail. The bird's irises are a deep brown, and its legs are a vivid red. The species exhibits no sexual dimorphism, meaning males and females are similar in appearance. However, juveniles can be distinguished by their paler plumage and the absence or limited presence of the pale yellow neck patch characteristic of adults.

Habitat

This pigeon favors the dense subtropical forests and warm temperate evergreen broadleaf forests. It is heavily reliant on mature forests for its survival.

Distribution

The black wood pigeon is native to East Asia, residing along the Pacific's shorelines, including the Korea Strait, Philippine Sea, and East China Sea. It is found on small islands in the East China Sea, notably the Ryukyu, Iwo Jima, and Bonin Islands, as well as along the southern coasts of Korea and Japan. Its presence has been noted as a vagrant in eastern Russia, Shandong, mainland China, and Taiwan.

Behaviour

The black wood pigeon is a solitary forest bird that exhibits a gliding and slowly soaring flight. Its flight is characterized by regular beats and the occasional sharp flick of the wings, typical of pigeons.

Breeding

This species is a resident breeder in laurisilva forests, laying a single white egg in a flimsy twig nest, which may be located in a tree cavity or among rocks. Breeding typically occurs in September.

Diet and Feeding

The black wood pigeon is primarily herbivorous, with a strong preference for plant matter such as leaves, flowers, drupes, berries, and seeds from a variety of trees including Kurogane mochi, mochi-no-ki, Sazanqua, Tsubaki, mulberry, and ficus. It also consumes worms and small snails, but its diet is predominantly vegetable.

Conservation status

The black wood pigeon is currently classified as Near Threatened due to habitat loss, degradation, deforestation, and hunting. Its numbers have declined sharply following human colonization of its habitat, with forest clearance being the primary cause. Protection of the laurel forests and a ban on hunting are essential for the potential recovery of this species.