Tongan Ground Dove (Pampusana stairi) [XC278883]
by id from Vunisea-Namara Rd., Kadavu, Fiji, Fiji (song)
Subspecies
Probably most closely related to Santa Cruz Ground-dove (Alopecoenas sanctaecrucis) and both have been included in a superspecies with White-breasted Ground-dove (Alopecoenas jobiensis), Caroline Ground-dove (Alopecoenas kubaryi), Polynesian Ground-dove (Alopecoenas erythropterus) and White-throated Ground-dove (Alopecoenas xanthonurus), and also Thick-billed Ground-dove (Alopecoenas salamonis). Might also be related, more distantly, to Bronze Ground-dove (Alopecoenas beccarii), Palau Ground-dove (Alopecoenas canifrons) and Wetar Ground-dove (Alopecoenas hoedtii). Type specimen was bird from London Zoo of uncertain origin. Some authorities have questioned designation of Samoa as type locality, suggesting Tonga as more probable origin, but the limited series of specimens do not justify altering the designated locality, so birds from Fiji and Tonga are currently placed in subspecies vitiensis. Under alternative arrangement, Samoan populations were placed in subspecies samoensis.
The following 2 subspecies are recognised:
stairi (Gray, 1856) - Wallis and Futuna Is, and Samoa (Savaii, Upolu, Aliepata Is, Ofu).
vitiensis (Finsch, 1872) - Fiji and Tonga (Vava'u, Ha'apai and Nomuka groups).
Similar Species
Metallic Pigeon (Columba vitiensis) which is much larger and less timid, also grey-black and has distinct white throat (except immatures). Also rarely, if ever, seen on the ground in forest.
References
See References.
BirdLife International Species Factsheet