Providence blue pigeon

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Providence blue pigeon

The Providence blue pigeon (Alectroenas sp.), also called the Farquhar Islands blue pigeon or the small blue pigeon, is an extinct bird that once lived on Farquhar, Providence, and St. Pierre in the Seychelles. It was a blue pigeon, likely similar in appearance to the Seychelles blue pigeon, and it may have been the same species or a different one.

Habitat and nesting: It built its nests in Mapou trees and other small trees found on the islands.

History: In 1821–1822, the birds were reported to be abundant on Farquhar and extremely tame, so tame they could be knocked down with sticks. A voyage account from Captain Fairfax Moresby describes large numbers of small blue pigeons on Farquhar, Providence, and nearby islands, where they were easy to catch and considered good eating. They nested on Mapou trees and other dwarf trees.

Decline and extinction: By 1968, when David Stoddart surveyed Farquhar, no blue pigeons were seen. The exact cause of their extinction is unknown.

Conservation status: Extinct (1880s).