Taiwan Green Pigeon

The Taiwan green pigeon or whistling green pigeon (Treron formosae) is a bird in the family Columbidae. The species was first described by Robert Swinhoe in 1863. It is found in Taiwan and Batanes in the Philippines.

Taiwan green pigeon
Male
Female
Conservation status
Near Threatened  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Columbiformes
Family:	Columbidae
Genus:	Treron
Species:	T. formosae
Binomial name
Treron formosae R. Swinhoe, 1863
Synonyms
Sphenocercus formosae

Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and rural gardens. It is threatened by habitat loss.

The Ryukyu green pigeon (T. permagnus) of the Ryukyu Islands was formerly considered conspecific, with both species being united together as the whistling green pigeon, but was split as a distinct species by the IOC in 2021.

There are thought to be two subspecies:

• T. f. formosae - endemic to Taiwan
• T. f. filipinus - endemic to the Philippines, found on Batanes and the Babuyan Islands

 

The Taiwan green pigeon is visually similar to the Wedge-tailed green pigeon, but with usually darker plumage. Females are of various green shades throughout, and males have a distinctive purple-grey patch over the wings.

EBird describes the bird as "A variable green-pigeon of subtropical and tropical lowland broadleaf evergreen forests. Ryukyu subspecies readily approachable, sometimes found in parks and gardens; Taiwan subspecies more timid. Ryukyu and Taiwan subspecies sometimes considered separate species, as Taiwan birds are much smaller and have a rufous cap. Similar to White-bellied Green-Pigeon, but feathers around the legs never white, face less yellowish, and white edges of undertail coverts narrower. Song a low, whistling poo-aa-poooo, rising and trilling at end, recalling a bamboo flute."

It inhabits subtropical broadleaved evergreen forest, cultivated fields where there are trees nearby, mainly lowlands and hills on small islands but is mainly a montane species on Taiwan, where it occurs up to 2,000 metres (6,600 ft).

IUCN has assessed this bird as near threatened. This species' main threat is habitat loss and hunting.