Pheasant Pigeons

[thehammer]

Anyone know if Pheasant Pigeons (Otidiphaps nobilis) are available in Australia?

[Buzzard-1]

available in Australia?

No!! Lucky to find Siamese Firebacks.

[Tintola]

no they are not, the price would be prohibitive if they were available. Not that common in P.N.G. either ( their native range)

[Jayburd]

shame, innit? pheasant pigeons are so spectacular... I think Taronga had a pair a few years ago, haven't heard since though.

[GregH]

An interesting bird. I can't find any but I did find a book avalable from Emporium Books.

Pheasant Pigeon
Author: Lambert M. Surhone , Mariam T. Tennoe , Susan F. Henssonow
Publisher: Betascript Publishing
ISBN: 9786133289222
Pages: 76
Publication Date: 12 October 2010
Format: Paperback
Availability: Out of print, replaced by POD
We will order this item for you from a manufatured on demand supplier.
RRP $62.40

I just found an article too from: European Zoo Nutrition Center
4 DIET SELECTION BY THE WHITE-NAPED PHEASANT PIGEON Otidiphaps nobilis
H. Marqués1*, M. D. Baucells2, E. Albanell2 and G. Navidad1

1Parque Zoológico de Barcelona, Parque de la Ciudadela s/n, 08003 Barcelona, Spain;
2Departamento de Ciencia Animal y de los Alimentos, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona Spain.

Otidiphaps nobilis aruensis is an endemic columbiforme from Aru Isle (South-West of New Guinea). It is poorly represented in captivity and there is not enough information known about the biology and wild status of this endangered specie. However, due to its insular situation, its wild status may be critical. The Barcelona Zoo holds 18 individuals (53 %) of the total European captive population, with two wild caught breeding pairs. The aim of this study was to determine the diet consumed by the captive population of these birds at the Barcelona Zoo, and some of the factors that could have an influence on diet selection. The study was carried on at the Barcelona Zoo with 11 (8.3) captive born individuals (descendants from the two breeding pairs), between 5 and 20 months of age at the time of study. The animals were housed individually and the intake was evaluated through three experimental periods (see Marques et al., 2000 for further details on housing and methodology). The diet consisted on 10 ingredients grouped in 4 categories: grains (wheat, millet and canary seed), commercial feeds (Zeigler Fruguivore Supplement, Universal Insectivorous Diet – Witte Molen, Egg rearing Food With Hedgerow Plants – Kasper Faunafoods), animal protein (mealworms, hard boiled egg), and vegetables (lettuce and fruit mix: apple, pear, banana, carrot). All ingredients were offered close to add libitum, except for the mealworms (Zophoba sp.), which were used to encourage birds to go on a weighing scale. The animals on this diet kept growing normally and looked healthy. The data obtained were analyzed by Proc Tabulate and Proc Mixed of SAS. The animals consumed a total of 33,2 ± 0,82 g of diet (22 ± 1,30 g on a dry matter basis, DMB). This amount was 4 times lower than the offered. Great differences among individuals were observed on diet selection, but the mean diet composition was: 38 % grains, 25 % commercial foods, 19 % animal protein, and 18 % vegetables. None of the ingredients was consumed more that 40 % of the amount offered, except for the mealworms. There were significant differences on ingredient selection among ages (juveniles 20 – 35 weeks old, n=7; elders 43 – 82 weeks old, n=4). The younger animals consumed significantly less grains than the older animals (10,3 ± 1,27 g vs. 17,2 ± 2,27 g; P<0,001). The younger animals, had instead, a tendency to eat more commercial foods (P=0,07). Additionally, some differences were observed among individuals that came from different progenitors in the consumption of some grains (i.e. wheat and canary seed). Whereas no differences in any of the other ingredient groups was detected. Curiously, males consumed significantly more lettuce than females (1,67 ± 0,5 g vs. 0,56 ± 0,5 g; P<0,01). This project has been granted by the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust.
Reference: Marquès H., Gonzalo C., Navidad G., Colom, L. (2000). Study of the diet fed to captive white-naped pheasant pigeons (Otidiphaps nobilis aruensis) at the Barcelona Zoo. Proc. Comp. Nutr. Soc. pp 132-137.

[Jayburd]

and greg has done it again

[MadHatter]

I saw them in a number of european zoos and bird parks and was greatly impressed. Lovely bird. Maybe someday the powers that be will come to thier senses and loosen up the importation restrictions a bit... Yeah, right.

Don't hold your breath.

[Jayburd]

is right... 100 years time *explodes*

[GregH]

Hey it's a pigeon isn't it? Do they have them in New Zealand.................. as taxononomist I'm all for "lumping" when "necessary"

[Jayburd]