The ** Sri Lankan wood pigeon** or Ceylon wood pigeon (Columba torringtoniae) is a pigeon which is an endemic resident breeding bird in the mountains of Sri Lanka. This species nests in damp evergreen woodlands in the central highlands, building a stick nest in a tree and laying a single white egg. Its flight is quick, with the regular beats and an occasional sharp flick of the wings which are characteristic of pigeons in general. Most of its food is vegetable. Normally silent it utters an owl-like hoo call in the breeding season. The Sri Lanka wood pigeon is 36 cm in length. Its upperparts and tail are dark grey, and the head and underparts are lilac, becoming paler on the belly. There is a black-and-white chessboard pattern on the nape. This pigeon can be quite easily seen in the woods of the Horton Plains National Park.

Range and distribution

The Sri Lanka wood pigeon is endemic to the island of Sri Lanka, where it is found in primary montane forest, generally above 3000 ft.

In culture

This wood-pigeon in a 25c Sri Lankan postal stamp.

Sources