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Pink Pigeons
Medium: watercolor
Year Produced: 2009
Dimensions in inches (H x W): 22" x 16"
The Pink Pigeon (Columba mayeri) was once widely distributed throughout
the Indian Ocean Island of Mauritius.
In 1986 there were only twelve pigeons left.
The destruction of native forests on a massive scale and the introduction
of a staggering list of non-native mammalian predators have all
contributed to the decline of the Pink Pigeon. The introduced Crab-eating
Macaques, Feral cats and Mongoose are all efficient bird killers. Pink
Pigeons evolved in the absence of mammalian predators and have no natural
defence against these introduced species.
Other main reasons for the decline have been habitat loss in favour of
economic development and degradation caused by invasive exotic weed
species, primarily Chinese Guava (Psidium cattleianum) and the privet
(Ligustrum robustum var. walkeri). These invade and choke the forest,
thus preventing the regeneration of native plant species which seeds are
the food source for the pigeons.
Successful conservation efforts have lead to the growing population of
these beautiful birds which number now around four hundred individuals.
I made this watercolor after my visit to Mauritius in 2009.
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