Henderson imperial pigeon

The Henderson imperial pigeon (Ducula harrisoni), or Henderson Island imperial pigeon, is an extinct species of bird in the Columbidae, or pigeon family. It was described from subfossil remains found on Henderson Island in the Pitcairn Group of south-eastern Polynesia.

Henderson imperial pigeon Temporal range: Holocene
Conservation status
Extinct
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Columbiformes
Family:	Columbidae
Genus:	Ducula
Species:	†D. harrisoni
Binomial name
†Ducula harrisoni Wragg & Worthy, 2006

Extinction

The pigeon became extinct following human colonisation of Henderson, an event that had occurred by 1050 CE. Two of the other three species of pigeon on the island also disappeared, as did other birds.

References

• Wragg, G.M.; & Worthy, T.H. (2006). A new species of extinct imperial pigeon (Ducula: Columbidae) from Henderson Island, Pitcairn Group. Historical Biology 18(2):127–140.