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Goura (genus)
Encyclopedia
The genus
Goura consists of three species of crowned pigeons. They are the largest non-extinct members of the pigeon
family. The three crowned pigeons are alike and replace each other geographically. The genus was described by James Francis Stephens
in 1819.
The phylogeny of the crowned pigeons is not well resolved. Several molecular analyses have been conducted (e.g. Johnson & , 2000), with one (Shapiro et al., 2002) suggesting that along with the Nicobar Pigeon
and the Tooth-billed Pigeon
of Samoa
, the three Goura pigeons belong to a group of which the infamous Dodo
and the Rodrigues Solitaire
are an offshoot lineage, but depending on which genetic sequence is analyzed, the placement of the crowned pigeon differs. They might belong to the Treroninae subfamily of the fruit-doves, but usually they are treated as a subfamily of their own, the Gourinae.
They are natives of New Guinea
and a few surrounding islands. They forage on the forest floor eating fallen fruit, seeds and snails. The males and females are almost identical, but during courtship the male will coo and bow for the female. Both parents incubate one egg for 28 to 30 days and the chick takes another 30 days to fledge. The life span can be over 20 years.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
Goura consists of three species of crowned pigeons. They are the largest non-extinct members of the pigeon
Dove
Pigeons and doves constitute the bird family Columbidae within the order Columbiformes, which include some 300 species of near passerines. In general terms "dove" and "pigeon" are used somewhat interchangeably...
family. The three crowned pigeons are alike and replace each other geographically. The genus was described by James Francis Stephens
James Francis Stephens
James Francis Stephens was an English entomologist.-Biography:Stephens was born in Shoreham-by-Sea and studied at Christ's Hospital.He was employed in the Admiralty office, Somerset House, from 1807 to 1845...
in 1819.
The phylogeny of the crowned pigeons is not well resolved. Several molecular analyses have been conducted (e.g. Johnson & , 2000), with one (Shapiro et al., 2002) suggesting that along with the Nicobar Pigeon
Nicobar Pigeon
The Nicobar Pigeon, Caloenas nicobarica, is a pigeon found on small islands and in coastal regions from the Nicobar Islands, east through the Malay Archipelago, to the Solomons and Palau. It is the only living member of the genus Caloenas....
and the Tooth-billed Pigeon
Tooth-billed Pigeon
The Tooth-billed Pigeon also known as Samoan Pigeon, is a medium-sized, approximately 34 cm long, dark pigeon with reddish feet and bare skin around eye. The underparts, head and neck are blackish with a slight blue-green iridescence, and the tail, wings-coverts and tertials are chestnut,...
of Samoa
Samoa
Samoa , officially the Independent State of Samoa, formerly known as Western Samoa is a country encompassing the western part of the Samoan Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It became independent from New Zealand in 1962. The two main islands of Samoa are Upolu and one of the biggest islands in...
, the three Goura pigeons belong to a group of which the infamous Dodo
Dodo
The dodo was a flightless bird endemic to the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius. Related to pigeons and doves, it stood about a meter tall, weighing about , living on fruit, and nesting on the ground....
and the Rodrigues Solitaire
Rodrigues Solitaire
The Rodrigues Solitaire was a flightless member of the pigeon order endemic to Rodrigues, Mauritius. It was a close relative of the Dodo.-Discovery:...
are an offshoot lineage, but depending on which genetic sequence is analyzed, the placement of the crowned pigeon differs. They might belong to the Treroninae subfamily of the fruit-doves, but usually they are treated as a subfamily of their own, the Gourinae.
New Guinea
New Guinea is the world's second largest island, after Greenland, covering a land area of 786,000 km2. Located in the southwest Pacific Ocean, it lies geographically to the east of the Malay Archipelago, with which it is sometimes included as part of a greater Indo-Australian Archipelago...
and a few surrounding islands. They forage on the forest floor eating fallen fruit, seeds and snails. The males and females are almost identical, but during courtship the male will coo and bow for the female. Both parents incubate one egg for 28 to 30 days and the chick takes another 30 days to fledge. The life span can be over 20 years.
Species
- Western Crowned PigeonWestern Crowned PigeonThe Western Crowned Pigeon, also known as the Common Crowned Pigeon or Blue Crowned Pigeon, Goura cristata, is a large, blue-grey pigeon with blue lacy crests over the head and dark blue mask feathers around its eyes. Both sexes are almost similar but males are often larger than females...
, Goura cristata - Southern Crowned PigeonSouthern Crowned PigeonThe Southern Crowned Pigeon, Goura scheepmakeri, is a large, terrestrial pigeon confined to southern lowland forests of New Guinea. It has a bluish-grey plumage with elaborate blue lacy crests, red iris and very deep maroon breast. Both sexes have a similar appearance...
, Goura scheepmakeri - Victoria Crowned PigeonVictoria Crowned PigeonThe Victoria Crowned Pigeon, Goura victoria, is a large, bluish-grey pigeon with elegant blue lace-like crests, maroon breast and red iris. The bird may be easily recognized by the unique white tips on its crests. Both sexes are similar. It is on average 74 cm long and weighs 2,384 grams...
, Goura victoria