Sri Lanka Wood-Pigeon Columba torringtoniae Scientific name definitions

33–36 cm. Head purplish grey, some purplish iridescence on hindcrown and nape; throat white; chequered black and white collar similar to that of C. elphinstonii; back slaty; beneath collar, large area of purple or green iridescence merging into greyish purple on breast; below breast purplish grey or purplish; undertail-coverts greyish; mantle, back and wings slaty, primaries and tail slightly lighter; iris pale red or pink; orbital skin dull pink; legs pinkish, toes and soles of feet redder. Female with little or no grey tinge on head and breast; shows coppery lustre in purple of breast and lower part of hindneck. Juvenile duller and browner; purplish grey of adult replaced by dull grey with reddish edges to feathers; purple of adult with faint black and rust brown bars; wing-coverts fringed with rust; display neck plumage black with iridescent greenish grey tips.

SC Sri Lanka, occurring mainly in the hill country of the interior.

Both evergreen and moist deciduous forests , usually above 1000 m, but sometimes wandering as low as 300 m.

Known to wander in search of food.

Apparently feeds mostly on fruits and berries taken from branches.

Rather silent. Voice comprises single low-pitched hoots given at intervals, “whooh...whooh...” (note length c. 0·6 seconds) and more quavering hoots, “whu-hu-hoo” (thus similar to C. elphinstonii).

Season extends Feb–Nov, but most nesting takes place in Oct. Nest is a flimsy structure of twigs in a treee or shrub. Clutch is 1 egg.

VULNERABLE. Once common in some areas but has declined considerably; still fairly frequent in places. The population has suffered in the face of loss and degradation of habitat; native forests being replaced by monocultures unsuitable for this species, and this may well be chief cause of decline; a few observations of birds in wooded areas around villages suggest species might be capable of partially adapting to some less degraded man-made habitats. Survival of species will depend on preservation of remaining natural habitat with adequate fruiting trees.