Three Uncommon Blue-Eyed Ground Doves Reach UK Zoo
Image: Hector Bottai via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
With merely 11 individuals remaining in the wild, the blue-eyed ground dove (known scientifically as columbina cyanopis) ranks among the most endangered birds globally. The dove, characterized by its cinnamon hue, blue-winged spots, and bright blue eyes, is currently listed as Critically Endangered, yet there remains hope for the survival of the species. Chester Zoo in England, alongside a global coalition of bird conservationists, has recently reported the successful hatching of three chicks, presenting a potential opportunity to revitalize the bird’s population.
The blue-eyed ground dove is indigenous to the tropical savannas of eastern Brazil, where the surviving wild population is divided into three small, isolated clusters, each over a mile apart. Interestingly, this elusive bird was assumed extinct for more than 75 years until its rediscovery in 2015 by ornithologist Rafael Bessa during field research. Since that time, conservationists have been striving to ensure a prosperous future for this rare bird. Despite their initiatives, the species continues to contend with significant threats, such as human-induced wildfires and the escalating effects of climate change.
Recently, a collective of Brazilian and American conservationists undertook the sensitive task of selecting and incubating a few eggs laid in the wild, aiming to create a backup population under human care in Brazil. Andrew Owen, the avian head at Chester Zoo, traveled to Brazil to impart his knowledge, while Victoria Kaldis, the zoo’s principal bird keeper, accompanied him to aid in the meticulous hand-rearing of the chicks.
Chester Zoo recently posted a video featuring one of the newly hatched chicks in good health. “These precious chicks represent a crucial lifeline for the species, bringing genuine hope for the future of these magnificent birds,” the team noted in the video’s caption. “With time (and collaboration!), we aspire to build on this achievement and further support the wild population.”
In the long term, conservationists aim to establish a robust, self-sustaining group that can significantly contribute to ensuring the species’s ongoing survival in the wild. “It’s an immense honor for Chester Zoo to participate in efforts to conserve the blue-eyed ground dove,” declared Owen. “This exceptional species is on the verge of extinction, and without the commitment and enthusiasm of all conservationists involved, including Chester Zoo’s bird staff, this bird could vanish indefinitely.”
Discover more on the Chester Zoo website.
Chester Zoo has recently proclaimed the successful hatching of three blue-eyed ground dove chicks, granting the critically endangered species a glimmer of hope for survival.
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