Nicobar Pigeon
Scientific Name
Class
Order
Range
Habitat
Estimated Wild Population
More Information
Physical Description
Nicobar pigeons have a metallic green back and wings, a white tail, and a gray chest and head. Long, elaborate feathers stream down their neck, giving them a distinctive look. They nest in trees, where they build nests from sticks, and they often sleep on offshore islands to avoid predators. Females lay one egg each breeding period, and both the male and female cooperate in rearing their young.
Interesting Fact 1
Nicobar pigeons fly from island to island in their native range to find seeds, fruit, and insects.
Interesting Fact 2
This social species feeds in flocks of up to 85 birds.
Interesting Fact 3
Nicobar pigeons have a gizzard, a muscular organ used for grinding food, that allows them to digest hard nuts that humans often open with a hammer.
Species Survival Plan®
We cooperate with other members of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums to manage the zoo population of this species through a Species Survival Plan®.
Commitment to Care
Lincoln Park Zoo prioritizes individual well-being over everything else. Guided by scientific research, staff and volunteers work to provide the best welfare outcomes for each individual in the zoo’s care.
Support Your Zoo
Animals Depend On People Too
When you ADOPT an animal, you support world-class animal care by helping to provide specially formulated diets, new habitat elements, and regular veterinary checkups.
Wish List
The Wish List is full of one-of-a-kind items for the zoo’s animals, including nutritious snacks and enrichment items to keep them active and healthy.
Take Action With Us
Wildlife face many daunting challenges—some global, like planet-wide climate change, and some that affect individuals, like an animal ingesting plastic—but now is not the time to despair. None of these problems are too big for us to come together and solve.
