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.

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.

Henderson imperial pigeon

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.

Henderson imperial pigeon

Henderson imperial pigeon

Birds of Henderson Island

Extinct birds of Oceania

Late Quaternary prehistoric birds

Holocene extinctions

Henderson imperial pigeon

Fossil taxa described in 2006

Henderson imperial pigeon