Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species is listed as Near Threatened owing to its small population and small range. It faces threats from habitat clearance and degradation, and hunting. Further information regarding the area of impact of hunting and population trends may mean it qualifies for a higher threat category.
Population justification
The species is little known. Estimates from 2004 suggested there could be as many as 9,600 (6,400-14,300) on Mayotte, where densities are highest (Louette 2004, Rocamora 2004). However, since then threats have continued, and it is estimated that it probably numbers less than 10,000 individuals in total (Louette et al. 2008). Thus it is placed in the band 2,500-9,999 individuals. This equates to 1,667-6,666 mature individuals, rounded here to 1,500-7,000 mature individuals.
Trend justification
The population is suspected to be in decline owing to ongoing habitat destruction and unsustainable levels of exploitation.
Columba pollenii is endemic to the Comoro archipelago where it is found on all three islands of the Comoro Islands and on Mayotte (to France) (Louette 1988, Louette et al. 2008). On Grand Comoro, it is moderately common on Mt Karthala and La Grille above 500 m, increasing in abundance up to the tree-line at 1,750 m, while on Mohéli, it is limited to the island's main forested ridge (Louette 1988), and is uncommon on Anjouan (Safford 2013). On Mayotte, it remains in a number of widespread remnant pockets of suitable, wet, high-altitude forest and occurs in this habitat at a higher density than on the other islands (Stevens and Louette 1999). Numbers on each island are low, and the total population may be under 10,000 individuals. It has been suggested that migration between islands must take place for there to be a continuingly viable population (Louette 1988). Tracewski et al. (2016) estimated the maximum Area of Occupancy (calculated as the remaining tree area within the species’s range) to be c.1,100 km2.
The species is usually found at high elevations, although on Mayotte it extends down to sea-level (del Hoyo et al. 1997, Louette 1999). It prefers humid forest, but will use secondary forest, degraded areas of cultivated and woody land and tree plantations (Houmadi 2013, Safford 2013, R. Safford in litt. 2016). It feeds on fruit plucked from trees, but also appears to feed on the ground. Nests have been documented at 5-24 metres above the ground and have contained 1 or 2 eggs (del Hoyo et al. 1997, Rocamora 2004). Laying dates are between at least August and November, but may spread into December and probably still more extended (based on the presence of juveniles in Jun and August and the tendency for pigeons to breed more or less year round [R. Safford in litt. 2016]), but there are only limited data on this (Safford 2013).
Its habitat is diminishing as a result of charcoal production and shifting cultivation (Louette 1988). Hunting is a threat on all four islands (Safford 2001a, 2001b; Stevens and Louette 1999). Introduced predators are a potential threat (del Hoyo et al. 1997).
Conservation Actions Underway
No action for this species is known.
Text account compilers
Robertson, P., Warren, B., Pilgrim, J., Taylor, J., Symes, A., O'Brien, A., Westrip, J.
Contributors
Louette, M., Safford, R., Doulton, H.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Comoro Olive-pigeon Columba pollenii. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/comoro-olive-pigeon-columba-pollenii on 23/11/2024.
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 23/11/2024.