Grenada Dove - Grenada

Cristobal Colón saw and named the island of Grenada on his 3rd voyage to the Americas; he named it “Concepción.” Fierce attacks from the Caribs, the native inhabitants, prevented a landing or the establishment of a permanent settlement. It took 150 years for the Europeans to subdue the native population and colonize the island

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Leptotila wellsi - The Grenada dove is endemic to Grenada and is in danger of becoming extinct. Fewer than 100 individuals are estimated to exist in the wild. The combination of the Grenada dove being a shy animal and the low population contribute to a lack of in-depth studies of the bird’s breeding and feeding habits. Any disturbance to nesting sites results in the abandonment of the nest. The doves dedicate most of their time forging on the ground searching of seeds, but have been observed eating the fruit from papaya trees.

City Pigeon - Vatican City

The Vatican City is referred to as a micro state. It is the world’s smallest sovereign country in size and population. The Vatican City is a walled enclave completely enclosed within the Italian city of Rome. Rather than square kilometers, this country is measured by hectare, with 1 hectare equaling 1,000 square meters.

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Columba livia domestica - The Columbidae branch of birds includes about 300 species of pigeons and doves. City pigeons are feral rock pigeons derived from the domesticated pigeon; the domesticated pigeon’s lineage stems from the feral rock dove. They are found throughout the urban areas of the world and have adapted successfully to life in the city. Under normal circumstances, pigeons and doves would feed on seeds and fruits, but the city pigeon has become an opportunistic feeder, thanks to its human host.

Imperial Pigeon - Micronesia

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.