PUERTO RICAN PLAIN PIGEON Columbia inornata wetmorei (Peters) 



Order: COLUMBIFORMES Family: COLUMBIDAE 



Distinguishing characteristics : Size of domestic pigeon. Head and forepart of body 

 pinkish violet. Back grayish brown. Rump and tail gray. Wing coverts margined with 

 white. Differs from other subspecies of plain pigeon by darker coloration. 



Present distribution : Woodland near Lago de Cidra, 22 km. southwest of Caguas, Puerto 

 Rico; possibly also Cerro de la Tabla, 12 km. south of Lago de Cidra. 



Former distribution : Formerly widespread in the western foothills and valleys of 

 Puerto Rico. Old records exist from Utuado, Lares, Anasco, Morovis (cave deposits) 

 and Ponce (cave deposits). 



Status : Formerly considered extinct, now known to occur, apparently in very small 

 numbers . Since 1961 known to have been shot occasionally and indiscriminately by hunters 

 who do not distinguish it from other wild pigeons . Has appeared for sale as food in Ponce. 

 Thought by some observers to be increasing in numbers . 



Estimated numbers : Possibly several hundred scattered in lowland forests . 18 seen 

 Lago de Cidra, April 1969. 



Breeding rate in the wild : Unknown . 



Reasons for decline : Unknown, but probably overhunting and extensive destruction of 

 natural forest habitat. 



Protective measures already taken : 1969 hunting regulations specifically closed the 

 municipality of Cidra to hunting . 



Measures proposed : Complete prohibition of hunting of this species . Study to determine 

 its requirements and limiting factors . 



Number in captivity : None known . 



Breeding potential in captivity : Because of close relationship to domestic pigeon, 

 probably good. 



References : 



Bond, J . 1950 . Checklist of birds of West Indies . The Academy of Natural 



Sciences of Philadelphia . 

 lUCN Bull. No. 17, October-December 1965. p. 3. 



Kepler , C . B . Administrative reports , Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife . 

 Leopold, N. F. 1963. Checklist of birds of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. 



University of Puerto Rico Agric . Exp. Sta. Bull. 168. Rio Piedras, P. I. 119 pp. 



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