Whistling Dove
Ptilinopus layardi

Range and population
Ptilinopus layardi is endemic to the islands of Kadavu and neighbouring Ono in south-west Fiji . It is generally found in well-forested areas in the lowlands; on Ono it is restricted to forest remnants¹, and is sometimes found in gardens⁴. Although forest on Kadavu was heavily logged in the late 1960s and early 1970s and habitat degradation continues, some 75% of the island remains forested and the species is not considered to be affected by logging˜in fact disturbed forest may be more suitable for it⁵ being invaded by fast growing small trees with plenty of small soft fruits³. However, in a recent two-day survey, only three birds were seen in nine hours near Vunisea suggesting a relatively low population density (possibly <10,000) even though it is very unobtrusive and likely to be over-looked². It could be undergoing a continuing decline owing to continuing forest clearance for agriculture and conversion to pine forest.

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