A review of the geographical patterns of threat is published in the latest edition of Oryx (Volume 41 part 3) in which data on the BirdLife International Species Information Database are analysed to examine the distribution and causes of threat among columbids. Of 304 species extant in the wild, 59 (19%) are threatened with extinction, 48 (83%) of which have restricted ranges. All but two threatened columbid species (97%) inhabit tropical forests, and of these, 45 are island species (78% of all threatened columbid species). The taxonomic distribution of columbids follows three coherent areas: the Americas; Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia; Asia, Australasia and Oceania. Asia, Australasia and Oceania support nearly two-thirds of all extant species and three-quarters of threatened species (44), most of which (84%) are restricted range insular species. Three countries within this area are the most important for the conservation of columbid diversity: Indonesia, the Philippines and French Polynesia. Together these three countries support 40% of extant species and half of all threatened species. The greatest causes of threat to columbids are (1) habitat loss and fragmentation due to agriculture and extraction, (2) hunting for food, and (3) alien predator species. Habitat loss and fragmentation are universal threats to columbids. Hunting, however, is a significantly greater threat to species in Asia, Australasia and Oceania than to species in the other two areas and urgently needs to be addressed.

Walker, J.S. (jon “at” columbidae.org.uk) (2007). Geographical patterns of threat among pigeons and doves (Columbidae). Oryx 41(3): 289-299.

BirdLife’s Global Species Programme continually collates up-to-date information on Globally Threatened Birds. Their Globally Threatened Birds Forum provides an opportunity for both professional and amateur birdwatchers and conservationists to contribute information on Globally Threatened Birds relevant to the assessment of their threat status and their conservation. Contributors can also suggest new species whose status may need reviewing. In April each year, the revisions that have been decided upon from input through the forums will be submitted to the IUCN Red List. New categories become official when the Red List is updated and released later in the year. Contributors who supply information that is used will be explicitly acknowledged.

In the 2007-2008 reviews, discussions are currently open on four pigeon species:

• Marquesan Ground-dove Gallicolumba rubescens (Pacific)
  Currently listed as Endangered: downlist to Vulnerable?

• Marquesan Imperial-pigeon Ducula galeata (Pacific)
  Currently listed as Critically Endangered: downlist to Endangered?

• Mindoro Imperial Pigeon Ducula mindorensis (Asian)
  Currently listed as Vulnerable: uplist to Endangered?

• Pink Pigeon Nesoenas mayeri (African)
  Currently listed as Endangered: downlist to Vulnerable (owing to cessation of decline in habitat quality)?
  

The 2007 Audubon/American Bird Conservancy WatchList has been published. It identifies 59 continental and 39 Hawaiian “red list” species of greatest concern, and 119 more in the “yellow” category of seriously declining or rare species. It is based on the latest available research and assessment from the bird conservation community along with data from the Christmas Bird Count and the annual Breeding Bird Survey. One species of pigeon as been upgraded to the Red List this year and one species has been removed from the (Yellow) List:

• Red WatchList Species = Highest National Concern:
  White-crowned Pigeon Patagioenas leucocephala (previously on 2002 Yellow WatchList; Globally listed as Near Threatened)

• Previous WatchList species not on the 2007 WatchList:
  Band-tailed Pigeon Columba fasciata (previously on 2002 Yellow WatchList)

Butcher, G.S., D.K. Niven, A.O. Panjabi, D.N. Pashley, and K.V. Rosenberg. WatchList: The 2007 WatchList for United States Birds. American Birds 61:18-25.

Scientists have used a novel approach to assess the conservation status of the entire endemic avifauna of the island of New Britain (east of New Guinea). They used deforestation estimates, measured through satellite imagery, to assess species status based on IUCN Red List criteria. Application of the IUCN Red List criteria to these new data on area of remaining forest and rates of deforestation indicates that many species are more threatened than previously realised, with the total number of threatened or near threatened species increasing from 12 to 21. Eight pigeon species are among the endemic species on the island. Results suggests three Least Concern species should be upgraded to Near Threatened; however, suggest the Endangered Yellow-legged Pigeon Columba pallidiceps should be downgraded to Vulnerable.

Buchanan, G.M. (graeme.buchanan "at" rspb.org.uk), Butchart, S.H.M., Dutson, G., Pilgrim, J.D., Steiningere, M.K., Bishop, K.D., and Mayauxg, P. (2008) Using remote sensing to inform conservation status assessment: Estimates of recent deforestation rates on New Britain and the impacts upon endemic birds. Biological Conservation 141(1): 56-66.

On the week of the 17/10 the European Commission sent Malta a final written warning regarding their spring hunt of wild birds - a practice that is illegal under EU law. Every spring since its accession to the EU in 2004, Malta has permitted hunting of Turtle Dove and Common Quail, in direct contravention of the EU Birds Directive (BirdLife 17.10.2007).

A recent study of the nesting home ranges of White-winged Doves (Zenaida asiatica) in Texas, USA using field-implanted, subcutaneous radio transmitters and banding records found mean nesting home-range sizes differed between females (75.7 km2) and males (31.9 km2; P = 0.17). Mean nesting home-range for all individuals of known gender differed between years (75.6 km2 for 2002, 32.0 km2 for 2003, P < 0.001). Distances of recoveries from banding sites ranged from 0 to 477.4 km.

Small, M.F., Taylor, E.S., Baccus, J.T., Schaefer, C.L., Simpson, T.R. and Roberson, J.A. (2007). Nesting home range and movements of an urban White-winged Dove population. Wilson Journal of Ornithology 119(3): 467-470.

The latest results from the Breeding Bird Survey in the UK have shown populations of 29 bird species to have significantly declined in the UK between 1994 and 2006. The Turtle Dove was one of four species with population declines greater than 50% - and a 29% decrease between 2005 and 2006.

Raven, M.J., Noble, D.G. & Baillie, S.R. (2007). The Breeding Bird Survey 2006. BTO Research Report 471. British Trust for Ornithology, Thetford. Free download.