Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This pigeon has a very small range, in which is is experiencing ongoing habitat degradation from subsistence agriculture and the encroachment of invasive plant species. The population is also inferred to be declining owing to illegal poaching. It is therefore classified as Endangered.
Population justification
The population almost certainly numbers fewer than 2,500 mature individuals (M. Louette in litt. 2014). The suspected population size is therefore placed in the band 1,000-2,499 mature individuals.
Trend justification
A continuing decline is inferred owing to hunting pressure and ongoing forest loss (Global Forest Watch 2020). The likely rate of decline has not been estimated however.
Treron griveaudi is currently known only from Mwali (Mohéli) in the Comoros, where it appears to be restricted to humid evergreen forest at higher elevations (del Hoyo et al. 1997, Gibbs et al. 2001, Louette et al. 2008). Considered likely to have been present on Ngazidja (Grand Comoro) and Ndzuani (Anjouan) in the past (Gibbs et al. 2001).
Found in the canopy of evergreen forest, secondary forest, and coconut plantations (Gibbs et al. 2001, Louette et al. 2004). It mainly feeds on fruit from shrubs and tress (Louette et al. 2008).
Despite it being subject to legal protection, it is believed to be undergoing continuing declines owing to poaching (Louette and Stevens 1992, Louette et al. 2008). By 1995, intact, dense, humid forest remained on only 5% of the island, owing primarily to conversion for subsistence agriculture (Lafontaine and Moulaert 1998, 1999), underplanting, clear-felling and cultivation, and abandonment of sparsely vegetated land, which is highly susceptible to erosion and landslides (Safford 2001). Invasive exotic plant species, such as jamrosa Syzygium jambos, Lantana camara and Clidemia hirta, are abundant in the forest and are degrading the native habitat (Safford 2001). Introduced species including rats are common, and may predate nests (Safford 2001). Having a distribution that is close to the maximum altitude within its range, this species is potentially susceptible to climate change (BirdLife International unpublished data).
Conservation and research actions underway
This species is legally protected (Louette et al. 2008) but no other targeted actions are known.
Conservation and research actions proposed
Monitor population trends. Protect habitat from clearance and degradation. Discourage hunting through environmental education. Create a reserve in the interior of the island to protect suitable habitat.
c.32 cm. A stocky green pigeon with a greyish crown and neck, greyish-green upperparts with an indistinct purplish patch on the lesser coverts, a cream greater covert bar and chestnut undertail coverts. The cere and bill base are grey. Similar spp. Madagascar Green Pigeon T. australis has a green crown and neck, broad cream fringes to the undertail coverts and a red cere and bill base. Voice. A series of low, soft mournful whistles; slower, lower-pitched and less musical than T. australis.
Text account compilers
Clark, J.
Contributors
Butchart, S., Ekstrom, J., Khwaja, N., Louette, M., Martin, R., Symes, A., Taylor, J. & Westrip, J.R.S.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Comoro Green-pigeon Treron griveaudi. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/comoro-green-pigeon-treron-griveaudi on 22/12/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 22/12/2024.