Description

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Context:

The rare, forest-dwelling pigeon, known for its ash-grey plumage and distinctive pale crown, is seldom seen in the wild due to habitat loss and fragmentation.

About Pale-Capped Pigeon (Columba punicea):

Feature	Details
Common Names	Pale-Capped Pigeon, Purple Wood Pigeon
Scientific Name	Columba punicea
Distribution	Northern & Northeastern India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam
Habitat	Evergreen forests (primary/secondary), bamboo groves, agricultural fields near forests
Altitude Range	Lowlands to 1,600 m
Appearance	Brown upperparts, chestnut underparts with green/amethyst sheen; Males: whitish-grey cap; Females: brownish-grey cap with less gloss
Feeding Habits	Frugivorous; feeds in tree canopies, occasionally descends for seeds & fallen fruit
Social Behaviour	Forages in small groups
Conservation Status	Vulnerable – IUCN Red List

Dehing Patkai National Park

Feature	Details
Location	Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts, Assam
Geography	Foothills of Patkai Hills, along River Dehing (tributary of Brahmaputra), near Namdapha Wildlife Sanctuary
Nickname	"Amazon of the East"
Climate	Tropical; Annual rainfall > 4,000 mm
Ethnic Communities	Tai Phake, Khamyang, Khampti, Singpho, Nocte, Ahom, Kaibarta, Moran, Motok, Burmese, Nepali
Vegetation Type	Deciduous rainforest with semi-evergreen and lush flora
Dominant Flora	Hollong, Nahor, Mekai, Paroli, Simul, orchids, ferns, cane, bamboo
Faunal Diversity	Slow loris, pig-tailed & stump-tailed macaque, capped langur, Indian leopard, Asian elephant, tiger, gaur, clouded leopard, pangolin, etc.

Source: nenow.in

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Which of the following statements regarding the Pale-Capped Pigeon is/are correct?

It is commonly found in grassland and desert ecosystems.
It is classified as Vulnerable under the IUCN Red List.
It primarily feeds on fruits and forages in the tree canopy.

Select the correct answer using the codes below:

A. 1 and 2 only

B. 2 and 3 only

C. 1 and 3 only

D. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: B

Explanation:

It is found in forest habitats (not grasslands/deserts), is Vulnerable (IUCN), and is frugivorous.

The Pale-Capped Pigeon (Columba punicea) is a vulnerable, frugivorous bird found in selective forest regions across South and Southeast Asia, including India. It thrives in evergreen and bamboo forests. Dehing Patkai National Park in Assam, known as the “Amazon of the East,” hosts rich biodiversity within its tropical lowland rainforest ecosystem.