Pigeons and Doves (Columbidae)

Southern Crowned-pigeon (Goura scheepmakeri) - HBW 4, p. 189

French: Goura de Scheepmaker German: Maronenbrust-Krontaube Spanish: Gura Sureña
Other common names: Maroon-breasted/Sclater's/Scheepmaker's Crowned-pigeon, Great Goura

Taxonomy: Goura scheepmakeri Finsch, 1876, probably south New Guinea opposite Yule Island.
Members of genus unique amongst pigeons in having no gallbladder; also lack oil-gland and have reticulate scaling on the strong, thick legs; 16 rectrices; they have no obvious close relatives. Present species probably more closely related to G. cristata than to G. victoria. Two subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution:

  • sclaterii Salvadori, 1876 - S New Guinea from R Mimika E to R Fly.
  • scheepmakeri Finsch, 1876 - S coast of SE New Guinea from Hall Sound and Mt Epa E to Orangerie Bay.