The spotted green pigeon or Liverpool pigeon is a species of pigeon which is most likely extinct. It was first mentioned and described in 1783 by John Latham, who had seen two specimens of unknown provenance and a drawing depicting the bird. The taxonomic relationships of the bird were long obscure, and early writers suggested many different possibilities, though the idea that it was related to the Nicobar pigeon prevailed, and it was therefore placed in the same genus, Caloenas. Today, the species is only known from a specimen kept in World Museum, Liverpool. Overlooked for much of the 20th century, it was recognised as a valid extinct species by the IUCN Red List only in 2008. It may have been native to an island somewhere in the South Pacific Ocean or the Indian Ocean, and it has been suggested that a bird referred to as titi by Tahitian islanders was this bird. In 2014, a genetic study confirmed it as a distinct species related to the Nicobar pigeon, and showed that the two were the closest relatives of the extinct dodo and Rodrigues solitaire.
Region
Tropical Pacific (probable)
Typical Environment
The species is known only from a single historical specimen with no verified locality. Based on its close relationship to the Nicobar pigeon and other island fruit pigeons, it likely inhabited small oceanic islands, probably in the South Pacific (e.g., Polynesia) or possibly the Indian Ocean. It would have occupied coastal and lowland forests rich in fruiting trees and shrubs. Such pigeons often use forest edges, atolls, and small islets, commuting between patches for seasonal fruit. Human exploitation and introduced predators on small islands would have made such a population highly vulnerable.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Known only from a single specimen kept at World Museum, Liverpool, the spotted green pigeon is almost certainly extinct. A 2014 genetic study confirmed it as a distinct species closely related to the Nicobar pigeon and to the extinct dodo and Rodrigues solitaire. Its provenance is unknown, but it likely came from a small tropical oceanic island where human impacts and introduced predators could have led to rapid extinction.
Illustration by John Latham, from A General History of Birds, 1823
World Museum in Liverpool, where the only specimen is kept
The Nicobar pigeon belongs to the same genus, and is mainly terrestrial.
Raphines, such as the dodo, are the closest relatives of the genus Caloenas.
Alternate version of Latham's 1823 illustration; note the long wings.
Side view of the only specimen
1898 illustration by Joseph Smit, incorrectly depicting the bird with a knob on its bill and legs in reverse positions
Ducula pigeons, like the goliath imperial pigeon, may be ecologically comparable.
Temperament
solitary and wary (inferred)
Flight Pattern
strong flier with rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Likely similar to other island fruit pigeons: foraging singly or in small parties in the canopy and coming to ground only occasionally. Nesting would probably have been in trees, with a simple platform nest and a single egg typical of pigeons. Courtship and pair-bonding behaviors are unrecorded but likely involved soft cooing and display postures.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations were never documented; it likely produced low, soft coos typical of pigeons. No recordings or detailed descriptions survive.
