Nicobar Pigeon

The Nicobar Pigeon, Caloenas nicobarica, is one of the most striking island birds of the Indian Ocean region. Classified as Near Threatened (NT) by the IUCN, it is the only living member of the genus Caloenas and a treasured species of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Recognising its ecological significance and its growing conservation concerns, the Department of Posts has honoured this magnificent bird with a commemorative postage stamp in the special series on Near Threatened Birds of India.

An Island Specialist of the Nicobars

The Nicobar Pigeon is a small-island specialist, preferring:

• Remote wooded offshore islets
• Undisturbed lowland rainforest areas nearby
• Pristine habitats for breeding, roosting, and foraging

It breeds colonially, often in dense nesting colonies on tiny islets, and travels to larger islands or mainland forests—sometimes up to 500 metres inland—to forage for seeds, fruits, and fallen nuts.

The bird’s shimmering metallic plumage and distinctive white tail make it one of the most visually stunning pigeons in the world.

Conservation Concerns

Though widespread across island chains, the Nicobar Pigeon’s population is believed to be declining, owing to several serious threats:

• Hunting and trapping
  • for food
  • for the pet trade
  • for their gizzard stones, traditionally used as talismans
• Habitat destruction
  • clearance of small islands for plantations
  • loss of nearby lowland forests required for foraging
• Predation by introduced species
  • rats (Rattus spp.)
  • cats and other alien predators
  • which can wipe out colonies due to the species’ colonial nesting behaviour

While global population estimates are uncertain, the species is generally described as scarce to rare, though sometimes more common on smaller, isolated islets.

Commemorative Postage Stamp

The Department of Posts has released a commemorative postage stamp featuring the Nicobar Pigeon as part of a four-stamp set on Near Threatened (NT) Bird Species.

Highlight Features

• Showcases the Nicobar Pigeon’s iridescent plumage, a blend of metallic greens, blues, and copper tones.
• Depicts the bird in its natural island forest habitat, drawing attention to its unique ecology.
• Serves as a visual reminder of the urgent need to protect India’s island ecosystems.

A Jewel of the Island Wilderness

The Nicobar Pigeon stands as a symbol of the fragile biodiversity of the Andaman & Nicobar archipelago. By celebrating it through the commemorative stamp series, the Department of Posts reinforces the importance of conserving these remote island habitats and safeguarding species that depend on them.