Polynesian Ground Dove vs Rock Pigeon
Pampusana erythroptera compared with Columba livia
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Polynesian Ground Dove | Rock Pigeon |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pampusana erythroptera | Columba livia |
| Order | Columbiformes | Columbiformes |
| Family | Columbidae | Columbidae |
| Conservation Status | Critically Endangered | Least Concern |
| Length | — | 33.0 cm (13.0 in) |
| Wingspan | — | 68.0 cm (26.8 in) |
| Weight | 113.5 g (4.00 oz) | 300.0 g (10.58 oz) |
| Diet | -- | Seeds, grain, fruit, and human food scraps. Primarily a ground feeder. Feral birds are heavily … |
| Clutch Size | -- | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Rock Pigeon
Originally cliff-nesting in Mediterranean regions. Now the quintessential urban bird, inhabiting cities worldwide on every continent.
Song & Call Comparison
Polynesian Ground Dove
Rock Pigeon
Soft, rhythmic cooing 'roo-c'too-coo' repeated multiple times, with emphasis on second syllable. Male courtship coo is deeper and more persistent. Wing-clapping on takeoff is loud.
Geographic Range & Migration
Polynesian Ground Dove
Rock Pigeon
Native to Europe, North Africa, and South Asia. Feral populations on every continent except Antarctica.
Conservation Status
Polynesian Ground Dove
Rock Pigeon
How to Tell Them Apart
Polynesian Ground Dove
Polynesian Ground Dove: brown above; pale buff below; bare red facial skin; Polynesian islands; critically endangered; small
Rock Pigeon
Wild-type has a blue-grey body with iridescent green and purple neck feathers, two black wing bars, and a white rump. Feral populations show enormous color variation.
Slender dark bill with a white fleshy cere at the base
About These Birds
Polynesian Ground Dove
Small ground dove, 20–23 cm, with grey and brown plumage, dark reddish flight feathers, and white-tipped tail. Native to French Polynesia; extinct on many islands but survives in remnant populations on Moorea, Mopelia, and a few other atolls. Critically Endangered due to introduced rats, cats, and habitat loss.
Rock Pigeon
The rock pigeon is the ancestor of all domestic pigeon breeds and one of the most abundant birds in cities worldwide. Pigeons have served humans as messengers, food, and subjects for scientific research — their homing ability and vision have been studied extensively. Darwin's study of pigeon breeding contributed to his theory of evolution.