By Soniya:
The Timor Green Pigeon (Treron psittaceus), a rare bird species native to Timor Island and nearby islands, is facing a serious risk of extinction according to a study published in Oryx in May 2026. Researchers conducted extensive fieldwork over 1,400 days between 2002 and 2025 to assess the population status of the species.
The Timor Green Pigeon belongs to the Treron genus, which includes green pigeon species found across Asia and the Indo-Pacific region. The bird is mainly found in Timor-Leste, especially in Lautem District and the Nino Konis Santana National Park. In Indonesia, the species is now considered functionally extinct, with no confirmed sightings in West Timor since 2005.
The study estimates that only 100 to 500 individuals remain globally, a sharp decline from earlier estimates of nearly 2,000 birds. Hunting for meat remains the biggest threat to the species, while habitat destruction caused by deforestation and land conversion has further reduced its survival chances.
Currently listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, researchers from Charles Darwin University and BirdLife International have recommended upgrading the bird’s status to Critically Endangered, which indicates an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.
The findings highlight the urgent need for stronger conservation efforts, habitat protection, and stricter controls on hunting to prevent the disappearance of one of the Lesser Sunda region’s unique bird species.
