Basic Information
Scientific classification
- Chinese name: Luo Island Blue Dove
- Scientific name: Alectroenas rodericana
- Classification: Landfowl
- Family and genus: Columbidae, Columbidae, *Cyprinus*
Vital signs data
- Body length: No verification information available.
- Weight: No verification information available.
- Lifespan: No verification data available.
Significant features
Distribution and Habitat
They were once found on Rodriguez Island in the Mascarene Islands.
Appearance
They are about the size of a white-breasted pigeon and are gray in color.
Detailed introduction
The Rodrigues Blue Pigeon (scientific name: *Alectroenas rodericana*) was an extinct pigeon species found on Rodrigues Island in the Mascarene Islands. Knowledge of them is limited to some subfossilized sternum and other bones, and a few descriptions. They are believed to have been docile birds that enjoyed eating melon seeds. In 1693, they were still observed on the island and nested there.
Roosevelt blue pigeons are generally classified in the genus *Alectroenas*, but this classification has some issues. Due to the shape of their breastbone, which differs from other pigeons, they may belong to an undescribed genus. Their breastbone most closely resembles a miniature version of that of *Gallicolumba* or *Emperor Pigeon*. If this similarity is not due to convergent evolution, based on the evolutionary relationship between the dodo and the Rodrigues dodo, the Roosevelt blue pigeon may be a close relative of the ancient Columbidae family. This does not mean that the Roosevelt blue pigeon is a close relative of *Gallicolumba* or *Emperor Pigeon*, but rather that it may have evolved independently from an Indo-Asian lineage that went extinct millions of years ago. Two later discovered tarsal bones of Roosevelt blue pigeons may belong to *Streptopelia duboisi*. The Roosevelt blue pigeon is estimated to have gone extinct in the mid-18th century, when rats were rampant in their nests. This bird has never been described before, and it is most likely that they were distributed on islands and were killed by rats, leading to their extinction in 1690. A humerus of a Roosevelt blue pigeon has also been discovered.
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