Other Scientific Names
Columba picturata [Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993)], Streptopelia picturata [BirdLife International (2004)], Streptopelia picturata [Dowsett and Forbes-Watson (1993)]
Other Names (World)
Madagascar Turtle-Dove, Malagasy Turtle Dove, Painted Dove, Red Turtle-dove(!)
Malagasy Turtle Dove (Nesoenas picturatus) [XC203361]
by Albert Lastukhin & Alexandr Shirjaev from Curepipe, Plaines Wilhems, Mauritius (song)
Malagasy Turtle Dove (Nesoenas picturatus) [XC762892]
by Peter Boesman from Ankarafantsika NP, Mahajanga, Madagascar (call, song)
Subspecies
Madagascar Turtle-Dove (Nesoenas picturatus) and Pink Pigeon (Nesoenas mayeri) (Sibley and Monroe 1990, 1993) were previously transferred to the genus Streptopelia following Johnson et al. (2001), but are now placed in Nesoenas following Cheke (2005).
A very distinct member of the genus, more heavily built than congeners, with longer legs; sometimes placed in genus Columba, where linked with Eastern Bronze-naped Pigeon (Columba delegorguei). Has been claimed to have affinities with European Turtle-Dove (Streptopelia turtur) and allies. Internal taxonomy confused: in past, birds from Aldabra erroneously placed in subspecies aldabrana (origin of type specimen presumably mistaken), with those of Amirantes awarded subspecies saturata. Birds of Assumption I were awarded a separate subspecies, assumptionis; birds of Chagos Is formerly awarded subspecies chuni, but now identified as hybrids picturata x comorensis, possibly introduced from ships.
The following 5 subspecies are recognised:
rostrata Temminck, 1813 - Seychelles, on Praslin, Aride, Mahé, Cousin, Cousine and Bird I. Considered by some authors to be a distinct species, Seychelles Turtle-Dove (Nesoenas rostrata).
aldabrana (P. L. Sclater, 1872) - Amirante Islands.
coppingeri (Sharpe, 1884) - Aldabra, South I (Cosmoledo Atoll) and Glorieuses Is (north of Madagascar); formerly also on Cosmoledo I, Astove and Assumption.
BirdLife International Species Factsheet