Caroline Islands Ground Dove Pampusana kubaryi Scientific name definitions

28 cm. Forehead, cheeks, throat and breast white; hindcrown, nape and stripe behind eye black; upperparts and wing-coverts iridescent reddish purple; flight-­feathers and tail slaty black; belly dark grayish black; iris dark brown; bill black; legs and feet purple-red. Sexes similiar but female has tawny feather tips to underparts, giving paler appearance. Juvenile dark rusty brown with golden-rufous feather fringes and olivaceous bases to feathers.

Closely related to the White-bibbed Ground Dove (Pampusana jobiensis), White-throated Ground Dove (Pampusana xanthonura) and Polynesian Ground Dove (Pampusana erythroptera); this group also has somewhat more distant affinities with the Santa Cruz Ground Dove (Pampusana sanctaecrucis), Shy Ground Dove (Pampusana stairi) and Thick-billed Ground Dove (Pampusana salamonis). Formerly considered a subspecies of the White-throated Ground Dove (Pampusana xanthonura). Monotypic.

Chuuk (Tol Island, Weno Island) and Pohnpei, in central and eastern Caroline Islands.

On Pohnpei, inhabits brushy ravines and lowland forest, including mangroves. Appears to prefer particularly ravines where hibiscus (Hibiscus tiliaceus) forms dense thickets; much of this habitat is near settled areas, and is much disturbed and modified. On Chuuk, species is found in various habitats from atoll strand to agricultural forest, and native forest at higher elevations; nests in deep forest, up to 180 m elevation. Usually found on the ground or low in the understory.

No information available. When flushed, flies short distance with characteristic quiet, fluttery flight; does not appear to fly above canopy, as does the closely related White-throated Ground Dove (Pampusana xanthonura) in Northern Marianas; when walking, described as moving in a jerky haphazard manner like a domestic chicken.

Little information. On Pohnpei, reported to feed on seeds, worms and small snails, and even to use stones upon which it breaks the snail shells. On Chuuk, considered an agricultural pest because of its habit of eating seeds and young sprouts in newly planted fields. Feeds primarily on the ground.

Poorly documented. Said to utter a deep, moaning coo, and a whistled call (1 Gibbs, D., E. Barnes, and J. Cox (2001). Pigeons and Doves: A Guide to the Pigeons and Doves of the World. Pica Press, Robertsbridge, UK. Close ).

On Chuuk, nests with eggs found in February, April, June and September; males with enlarged gonads taken on Pohnpei in November–December. Nest is flimsy platform of twigs; one on Chuuk had several green leaves twined into the structure; diameter c. 23 cm; placed in bush, tree or tree-ferns 3–10 m up. One white egg. No information available on incubation period or parental care.

VULNERABLE. Previously treated as Endangered. The global population is estimated within the range of 350–1,500 individuals. Population on Pohnpei was estimated as 841 birds in 1983/84, and on Chuuk as 294 in 1983/84; however, species may have suffered severe decline on Chuuk since 1970s (only one individual detected on Tol, and none on Weno, in 1994), and appeared scarce on Pohnpei on recent visits (detected mostly in mangroves). This species is secretive and almost silent, and thus difficult to detect. Not protected on either Chuuk or Pohnpei. Hunting and predation by introduced predators pose serious threats to the species, as well as habitat loss to cultivation