New Britain Bronzewing Henicophaps foersteri Scientific name definitions

S Bismarck Archipelago on Umboi, New Britain and nearby Lolobau.

A lowland old-growth forest species, known only from primary and mature secondary forest in lowlands and hills to at least 700 m.

Poorly documented. Advertising call said to be a monotonously repeated “pip-yia”, the second note at a higher pitch and upslurred (1 Gibbs, D., E. Barnes, and J. Cox (2001). Pigeons and Doves: A Guide to the Pigeons and Doves of the World. Pica Press, Robertsbridge, UK. Close ).

VULNERABLE. Previously considered Near Threatened. A scarce species that was regarded as rare even in the early years of 20th century, at the time of its discovery. The population has been estimated as fewer than 5,000 individuals, chiefly on New Britain, with smaller numbers on the much smaller island of Umboi. Threatened by forest loss to logging and clearance for oil palm plantations and subsistence farming. It has been recorded in both the Garu and the Poikili Wildlife Protection Areas.