Rodrigues Solitaire

Pezophaps solitaria (Gmelin, JF, 1789)

Rodrigues Solitaire, Pezophaps solitaria, was an extinct flightless bird of Rodrigues in the Indian Ocean. It belonged to the pigeon and dove family and was confined to that island east of Madagascar. The bird is known for its strong sexual dimorphism, with males much larger than females. It had grey and brown plumage, a paler female, a slightly hooked beak marked by a black band at the base, and long neck and legs. Its food included fruit and seeds, and gizzard stones aided digestion. Both sexes defended territory, and the species laid a single egg.

Order

Columbiformes

Family

Columbidae — Pigeons, Doves

Breeding range

Indian Ocean: Rodrigues