Pale Mountain Pigeon

Gymnophaps solomonensis Mayr, 1931

Pale Mountain Pigeon, Gymnophaps solomonensis, is a pigeon in the Columbidae family found in the Solomon Islands, including Bougainville, Kolombangara, Vangunu, Guadalcanal and Malaita. It lives in montane forest, both old-growth and secondary, and is also associated with stunted moss forest during the breeding season. The species was described by Mayr in 1931. It is a medium-sized pigeon with a varied appearance, and the sexes are alike. Its plumage includes whitish-grey on the head and neck, buffy-pink on the lower breast and belly, pale grey on the vent and undertail coverts, and smoky-grey upperparts with darker edging.

Order

Columbiformes

Family

Columbidae — Pigeons, Doves

Breeding range

Australasia: Bougainville, Kolombangara, Vangunu, Guadalcanal and Malaita (n to sc Solomon Is.)