The tooth-billed pigeon, aka manumea or tandduva, hails only from the islands of Samoa and Apia and is the only living species of the genus Didunculus. They are threatened by habitat loss due to residential and commercial developments, as well as logging; accidental killings due to hunting for Pacific Imperial-pigeons; invasive species, in the form of feral cats, rats, and feral pigs; and climate change, that causes severe storms (like cyclones Ofa in 1990 and Val in 1991) that destroy their habitat and make way for exotic plants that make it difficult for native fruiting trees to grow. The IUCN lists these birds as Critically Endangered. Their population trend is listed as decreasing.
First the Stats…
Scientific name: Didunculus strigirostris
Weight: Up to 14 ounces
Length: Up to 12 inches
Wingspan: Up to 26 inches
Lifespan: Up to 15 years
Now on to the Facts!
1.) They are the national bird of Samoa and featured on the 20 tālā bills and the 50 sene piece in the 2008/2011 series.
2.) These pigeons are quite unique in that they scoop water up in their bill, rather than sucking it up using their tongue as a straw.
3.) Sir William Jardine, the naturalist, first officially described these pigeons in 1845, originally naming them Gnathodon strigirostris.
4.) With no close living relatives, they have been shown to be genetically close to the dodo; as is evident by their beak structure.
5.) Their genus name Didunculus means “little dodo”.
But wait, there’s more on the tooth-billed pigeon!
6.) They prefer undisturbed rainforests in Tafua Preserve, Central Savai’i Rainforest, Fagaloa Bay – Uafato Tiavea Conservation Zone on Upolu Island, and Nu’ulua island.
7.) These pigeons are believed to feed on the fruits of Dysoxylum, a tree in the mahogany family.
Did you know…?
As of 2024, there were only an estimated 150 individuals remaining.
8.) Females lay only a single egg once per year.
9.) It is presumed that the egg hatching time is around 20 days.
10.) Actions to save these birds will likely require conservation education to reduce hunting risks, and knowledge of the biology of the population and the reasons behind their decline.
11.) These birds are diurnal (active during the day).
Now a Short Tooth-Billed Pigeon Video!
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Some source material acquired from: Wikipedia & IUCN
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