Cloven-feathered Dove

The cloven-feathered dove (Drepanoptila holosericea) is a distinctive, medium-sized pigeon in the family Columbidae endemic to the main island and some satellite islets of New Caledonia in the southwestern Pacific. It is the sole member of the genus Drepanoptila and represents an ancient endemic radiation of the Melanesian avifauna. The species displays elaborate iridescent green and yellow plumage with a unique cloven or notched appearance to the secondary feathers, creating the distinctive 'cloven-feathered' appearance from which it takes its name. The dove inhabits humid tropical forests and forest edges across New Caledonia, feeding on small fruits, seeds, and berries. New Caledonia supports one of the world's most exceptional levels of plant and animal endemism, the result of its long geological isolation as a fragment of ancient Gondwana. The cloven-feathered dove faces threats from introduced predators including feral cats and black rats, hunting pressure, and the destruction and fragmentation of lowland and montane forests for nickel mining and agricultural development. It is listed as Least Concern globally but considered threatened at the local level in some parts of New Caledonia.