2015/08/03 16:09:57
Taipei, Aug. 3 (CNA) Large pigeons at the Taipei Zoo that are the closest living relative of the extinct dodo bird were confirmed recently to have successfully reproduced for the first time in four years, the zoo reported on Monday.
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| (Photo courtesy of Taipei Zoo) |
The zoo said the breeding patterns of the zoo's Nicobar pigeons (綠簑鴿) were disrupted when they moved to a smaller temporary habitat in 2012 while the main aviary was being renovated.
That remained the case even after the pigeons moved back to the new aviary, which was opened in 2013.
It was only in March this year that the zoo began observing the pigeons displaying signs of courtship and nest building, and it was not until July 30 that the zoo had visual confirmation that the eggs laid down this year had hatched.
At present, there are three such nests atop a tree above a pond, with female and male pigeons taking turns to hatch eggs and care for the young. The pigeons are on watch for anything that approaches the nest, the zoo said.
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