- Address: Halifax Harbor, Grenada
- Year of foundation: 1996
Grenada is a small island nation in the Caribbean Sea. Local people respect the traditions of their ancestors, as well as the animal and plant life. In 1996, the country created the Grenada Dove reserve, the name of which is literally translated as "the dove of Grenada".
More about the park
It really is engaged in the population and breeding of the national symbol of the country - the Grenada pigeon (Leptotila wellsi). This is a very rare bird, often called "invisible", it is endemic to the state. The number of Leptotila wellsi is constantly decreasing. Ornithologists suggest that the number of the Grenada pigeon decreased significantly in Grenada in 2004 during the hurricane "Ivan". In 2006, the birds were listed in the IUCN Red List category.
What is so interesting about the Grenada pigeon?
The Grenada pigeon is a two-tone bird of thirty centimeters long, with a distinct white breast, and the color of the head changes from pale pink on the forehead to light brown on the top and temechke. The beak of the pigeon is black, the eyes are white and yellow, the legs are pinkish-red, the body itself is olive-colored, and the inner feathers are brown, which looks quite interesting during the flight. As a rule, males have a more pronounced color than females.
But the coloring of the pigeon is not as interesting as his singing. The trill of the bird spreads over a distance of about one hundred meters, which creates a "deceptive" effect of the presence of Grenada Dove nearby. This plaintive and loud sound is like a continuous "hoo" and repeats every seven to eight seconds. Usually Leptotila wellsi starts singing a couple of hours before sunset and does not stop dragging his trill all night until dawn.
Pigeons build their nests, like all birds, on trees or palms, but they like to move about in search of food (most often seeds or papaya) on the ground. Wild cats, mongooses, opossums and rats are the main danger for these birds. The Grenadine pigeon guards its territory and when in the nature one of the birds invades his place of residence, the males most often strike the wings of the enemy, while flying low above the ground and making unusual jumps.
Specification of the Grenada Dove Reserve
The Grenada Dove Reserve is located in the vicinity of Halifax Harbor and serves as a safe place for the dwelling of the Grenada pigeon. Unfortunately, the view of Leptotila wellsi has been little studied, since it lives only on the island of Grenada . In the country at the state level, several programs have been created to conserve this species of birds.
First of all, the causes of extinction were identified: the settling of the island by people and the disappearance of the natural habitat (deforestation), and local predators are also a threat to this species of birds. After studying the situation, a plan was created to restore this species of pigeons. To draw the attention of local residents and guests of the island to this issue, was issued a jubilee hundred-dollar bill and several different brands with the image of Grenada Dove.
How to get to the Grenada Dove Nature Reserve?
Local guides offer a trip to the reserve, where tourists are taken by taxi. If you decide to get by yourself, you should rent a car, drive to Halifax Harbor and follow the signs.
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