Bird of legends and sea stories

The legend that exists in the world of pink pigeon, appeared in the period of great geographical discoveries, when visited in distant wanderings sailors told many stories, most of which were implausible.

Along with the story of the "blue bird" of happiness appeared and the legend of the pink pigeons, characterized by grace and bright color of feathers.
For many years, fanciers from many countries have tried to breed pigeons with pink plumage, which they added to various food ingredients, which includes natural dyes. In some cases, they managed to change the color of birds. Individuals with similar signs were sold at extremely high price, causing a furore among fans.
Beauty, putting the species under threat of extinction

However, in the nature of doves with pink feathers do exist. These wild birds were discovered by researchers in the early XIX century on the Islands of Mauritius and Egret, located in the Indian ocean.
The news of the discovery of the natural habitat of the wild pigeon, which has a pinkish color of the head, chest and back, was the reason for the beginning of mass hunting for it. Of the captured individuals did stuffed animals, and transporting them to a private house (mainly in the UK).
Due to the fact that the pink pigeon could not reproduce in captivity, and the conditions of its habitat in the wild deteriorated sharply, the number of individuals of this species began to decline rapidly.
According to official statistics, in 1991 the number of birds living in the wild was about 10 individuals, and the species was on the verge of complete destruction.

Monogamous and few prolific
Like birds of other breeds, the pink pigeon is monogamous. He creates a mate for life, and carefully protects its own territory, nest, and offspring.
Unlike the brothers, birds of this breed is not very prolific. During the year, the female lays eggs only once (usually two). She incubates the clutch in night and morning hours, and the day it replaces the male.
Chicks begin to fly on the 20th day after hatching from the nest, but until full puberty (year of life) are under the care of parents.

The female pink pigeon is able to lay eggs throughout life, and the male loses reproductive function after reaching 11 years.
Thanks to a set of conservation measures and the closure of a number of areas in Mauritius and Egret for tourists, the populations of pink pigeons began to gradually restore their numbers. A huge role was played by zoos, which today is home to about 150 pink pigeons, and grown young birds are released regularly in the natural habitat.