Ducula oceanica - The Micronesian imperial pigeon had been distributed over several locations of the Pacific; Nauru, Palau, Kiribati, Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands. It is no longer present on Nauru, Kiribati, and most of the Marshall Islands, a result of habitat loss and hunting. It breeds year round and is usually found in the forests of higher elevations, but does have a presence along beachfront mangroves. The imperial pigeon is frugivorous, an animal feeding primarily on fruit.
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The Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, and the Marshall Islands are sovereign nations having close ties with the United States through a partnership called “Associate State.” As territories, they were administrated by the United States Navy from 1947 to 1951. Control passed to the Interior Department until independence was granted; Micronesia became independent in 1986. In exchange for economic, social, and military assistance, the United States is allowed to maintain military facilities in each nation.
