Community
4 December, 2023
Rare bird sighted off coast
AN unusual sighting of a bird related to the extinct dodo has been spotted on Green Island off Cairns.
The near-threatened Nicobar pigeon (right) on the island is causing some excitement among island visitors and bird watchers, and also bears cultural significance to the Gurrugulu Gunghandji and Gimuy Walubarra Yidinji communities.
The Nicobar pigeon (caloenas nicobarica), is nomadic and named for India’s Nicobar Islands with a typical habitat on isolated southeast Asian islands.
Green Island Resort general manager Sue O’Donnell said the bird was first sighted about November 1 and was affectionately named “Emerald” by the resort staff because of its distinctive iridescent green plumage.
The bird was identified by a Wunyami Cultural Tour guide. Elder GudjuGudju Fourmile said “regarding the Nicobar pigeon, currently spotted in Wunyami, the elders of both the Gurrugulu Gunghandji and Gimuy Walubarra Yidinji communities are delighted by its reappearance”.
