Photos Credit:Martin Hale

A rare Hong Kong winter visitor, the Barred Cuckoo Dove, was spotted at the upper hillside of Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (KFBG) in early January and reported to staff by local bird enthusiast and photographer, Martin Hale. It is only the fifth sighting of this rare species in Hong Kong. The last record of this species was from 8 years ago, a bird sighted on the Tai Po Kau Headland. The Dove was first recorded in Hong Kong on 24 January 1960. The other records were on 6, 7 and 12 December 1989 at Hok Tau and on 5 May 1998 at Cape D' Aguilar.

The Barred Cuckoo-Dove is in the pigeon or Columbidae family. It is native to Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand and Vietnam. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. The global population appears to be stable, and hence the species is not presently classified as threatened.

The Dove has been feeding on the red fruits of the Chinese Holly (Ilex rotunda) and has been regularly sighted perched on the tree which is close to our upper canteen.

Birdwatching and bird photography are popular activities at KFBG. While observing wildlife please remain quiet and be respectful to the nature.

Reference:
http://www.biosch.hku.hk/ecology/porcupine/por34/34-wildcorner.htm
https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22690545/93276810