Nuku Hiva imperial pigeon
| Nuku Hiva imperial pigeon | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Columbiformes |
| Family: | Columbidae |
| Genus: | Ducula |
| Species: | D. galeata |
| Binomial name | |
| Ducula galeata (Bonaparte, 1855) | |
The Nuku Hiva imperial pigeon (Ducula galeata), also known as the Marquesan imperial pigeon or Upe, is a pigeon which is endemic to Nuku Hiva in the Marquesas Islands of French Polynesia. This pigeon is only found in some valleys in the western part of that island. With its small distribution, scientists believe it has probably never been common, but its very small population (estimated at c. 300 as of 2023) has marked it as an endangered species since 2008.