The Mauritius blue pigeon is an extinct species of blue pigeon formerly endemic to the Mascarene island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean east of Madagascar. It has two extinct relatives from the Mascarenes and three extant ones from other islands. It is the type species of the genus of blue pigeons, Alectroenas. It had white hackles around the head, neck and breast and blue plumage on the body, and it was red on the tail and the bare parts of the head. These colours were thought similar to those of the Dutch flag, a resemblance reflected in its French common name, Pigeon Hollandais. The juveniles may have been partially green. It was 30 cm (12 in) long and larger and more robust than any other blue pigeon species. It fed on fruits, nuts, and molluscs, and was once widespread in the forests of Mauritius.
Region
Mascarene Islands
Typical Environment
Historically confined to the native evergreen and semi-evergreen forests of Mauritius, from lowland woodlands to upland valleys and ridges. It foraged mostly in the canopy but also visited edges and clearings when fruiting trees were available. The species depended on intact forest structure and a diversity of fruiting trees and shrubs. Habitat degradation and fragmentation rapidly reduced its range before extinction.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Mauritius blue pigeon was the type species of the island blue pigeons (genus Alectroenas) and was once widespread in Mauritius’s native forests. Its striking tricolor appearance earned it the French name Pigeon Hollandais, likening its colors to the Dutch flag. It likely vanished in the early-to-mid 19th century due to deforestation, hunting, and introduced predators; only a small number of museum specimens survive.
Illustration of a stuffed specimen published with Sonnerat's 1782 description
Subfossil tarsometatarsus leg-bone in Naturalis Biodiversity Center
1907 illustration of the Paris specimen by John Gerrard Keulemans
Sketches in the Gelderland ship's journal showing recently killed or stunned birds on Mauritius, by Joris Joostensz Laerle, 1601
Temperament
generally shy and forest-dwelling
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with strong, direct flight
Social Behavior
Likely occurred singly, in pairs, or small groups while foraging in fruiting trees. Nesting would have been in trees, with a simple platform nest typical of pigeons. Breeding behavior is presumed to resemble related Alectroenas, with shared parental care and typically one or two eggs.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Presumed deep, resonant cooing typical of large forest pigeons. Calls likely carried through dense canopy, used for mate contact and territory advertisement.
