# Madagascar Blue-Pigeon (*Alectroenas madagascariensis*) The Madagascar Blue-Pigeon is a beautiful bird with bright blue feathers and a gentle coo. It loves to live in the lush forests of Madagascar and can often be seen perched on tree branches. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Forests ![Madagascar Blue-Pigeon](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Alectroenas_madagascariensis.jpg&width=800) Photo: Neil Strickland, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Alectroenas_madagascariensis.jpg) ## Appearance The Madagascar Blue-Pigeon is a striking bird with deep iridescent blue plumage covering most of its body. It has a prominent white cap on its head and vivid red bare skin around its eyes, making it visually distinct. Its legs are a noticeable green. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Columbiformes - **Family:** Columbidae - **Genus:** Alectroenas ## Interesting facts - Both mom and dad take turns warming their eggs in the nest until they hatch. - Its bright red eye-ring makes it look like it's wearing a natural mask! - Listen closely! Its deep 'hoo-hoo-hoo' call can echo far through the rainforest. - They often hang upside down from branches to reach the tastiest, ripest fruits! ## Special abilities - **Seed Spreader:** Its 'Seed Spreader' power means the Madagascar Blue-Pigeon eats whole fruits, helping new plants grow by dispersing seeds. - **Forest Navigator:** Its 'Forest Navigator' power allows the Madagascar Blue-Pigeon to fly agilely through dense trees, helping it find food. - **Hidden Roost:** The Madagascar Blue-Pigeon has 'Hidden Roost' because its blue feathers help it blend into shady canopies, keeping it safe. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 25-28 cm - **Wingspan:** 45-50 cm - **Weight:** 0.16-0.25 kg - **Lifespan:** 10-15 years - **Speed:** 60 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 1-2 - **Incubation:** 14-16 days ## Diet & Feeding This pigeon loves to eat fruits and berries, which helps spread seeds around the forest! - **Primary Foods:** Figs, Berries, Palm fruits, Seeds - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** Madagascan Fig (*Ficus bojeri*) — Disperses seeds of this native fig tree. - **Eats:** Baron's Palm (*Dypsis baronii*) — Feasts on palm fruits, aiding seed dispersal. - **Eaten by:** [Fossa](https://www.snappit.app/explore/fossa) (*Cryptoprocta ferox*) — A primary predator in its forest habitat. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch birds from a distance and be quiet so you don't scare them away. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Madagascar Blue-Pigeon? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Madagascar Blue-Pigeon? 25-28 cm ### What is Madagascar Blue-Pigeon's wingspan? 45-50 cm ### How much does Madagascar Blue-Pigeon weigh? 0.16-0.25 kg ### How long does Madagascar Blue-Pigeon live? 10-15 years ### How fast can Madagascar Blue-Pigeon move? 60 km/h ### What does Madagascar Blue-Pigeon eat? This pigeon loves to eat fruits and berries, which helps spread seeds around the forest! ### Where is Madagascar Blue-Pigeon usually found? Forests ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Madagascar Blue-Pigeon: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/madagascar-blue-pigeon)