Animal Description The Sri Lankan Green Pigeon (Treron pompadora) is a beautiful and unique bird that brings color and life to the forests and cultivated areas of Sri Lanka. This endemic species plays a crucial role in seed dispersal, especially of forest fruits like wild figs, thus contributing to the regeneration and health of natural forests. By spreading seeds far and wide, this pigeon helps maintain biodiversity and the balance of the ecosystem, ensuring that native plants flourish.
One interesting fact about the Sri Lankan Green Pigeon is its incredibly quiet flight, which allows it to avoid predators. Despite its bright coloration, it blends perfectly with the green forest canopy, making it difficult to spot. It also has a gentle and soft call, often heard in the early mornings and evenings.
However, human activities such as deforestation, habitat fragmentation, and expansion of agriculture and urban areas threaten its population. Although currently listed as Least Concern, continued destruction of forests and pollution can rapidly affect its numbers. It is protected under Sri Lankan wildlife laws, but awareness and conservation of its natural habitats are essential to ensure that this species thrives.
Being frugivorous, it indirectly aids other animals that depend on fruiting trees by maintaining forest structure and diversity. Hence, conserving this bird also means protecting many other dependent species, making it a keystone species in its environment.
Body Anatomy Head:
Rounded and proportionate with a smooth bluish-grey crown. The face and throat are yellowish-green, blending softly into the neck.
Beak is short, sharp, slightly curved, colored pale bluish with a yellowish-white tip, ideal for plucking fruits.
Eyes:
Medium-sized, vivid reddish-orange, surrounded by a narrow, pale eyering, giving it a bright and alert appearance.
Neck & Nape:
Short and sleek, colored uniform green, sometimes with a faint yellowish undertone. The transition from the head to breast is seamless and smooth.
Breast & Belly:
Broad and rounded breast with yellowish-green to pale green coloring. The belly and vent area are slightly lighter yellowish-green, providing a smooth color gradient.
Back & Wings:
Upper back and mantle are bright leaf-green, giving excellent camouflage in foliage.
Distinctive maroon or chestnut patch on the wing coverts, more prominent in males.
Flight feathers are olive-green to dark green, edged subtly.
Tail:
Medium-length, square-tipped, with central tail feathers green, and outer feathers grey with broad black tips. Underside of tail shows a bluish or greyish tinge.
Legs & Feet:
Short, sturdy, and reddish-pink, well adapted for perching on branches.
Feet are zygodactyl (two toes forward, two backward), which aids in firm gripping of slender branches.
Beak:
Pale bluish base, turning yellowish or whitish at the tip, slightly hooked for effective fruit handling.
Flight Pattern:
Swift, direct flight with rapid wing beats. Typically flies in short bursts between trees, often moving silently within the canopy.
General Posture & Behavior:
Generally upright posture while perching. Moves gracefully and quietly, often seen foraging in small groups or pairs.
Prefers dense forest canopies, but also visits gardens and open woodlands.
Scientific Name Treron pompadora
Female Appearance The female is duller compared to the male, with less prominent maroon coloring on the wings. The breast is more uniform greenish without the rich shades seen in males.
Male Appearance The male has distinct maroon patches on the wings (shoulder area). Bright green body with a yellowish underbelly. Subtle bluish-grey crown on the head. Orange to reddish irises (eyes).
Incubation Period 12-14 days
Egg Laying Locations Nests on trees and shrubs, often concealed within dense foliage, built with twigs.
Child Bird Food Pigeon milk (regurgitated, nutrient-rich secretion) produced by both parents.
Adult Bird Food Primarily fruits, especially figs and berries, and tender shoots.
Food Names Wild figs, small berries, seeds, young leaves of native forest plants.
Nature of Living Area Forests, Agricultural Lands, Urban/Suburban Areas, Scrublands.
