Mauritius blue pigeon (SciiFii)

The Mauritius blue pigeon (Alectroenas nitidissimus) is a species of blue pigeon endemic to the Mascarene island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean east of Madagascar. It has five relatives, two from the Mascarenes and the other three from other islands. The Mauritius blue pigeon was once extinct since the 1830s, but has since been brought back from extinction by SciiFii and reintroduced to Mauritius to help boost biodiversity. The Mauritius blue pigeon has white hackles around the head, neck and breast and blue plumage on the body, and it is red on the tail and the bare parts of the head. The bill is greenish with a darker tip, and the legs are dark slate-grey. The iris is reddish orange and has an inner yellow ring. The juveniles are partially green. It is 30 centimeters (12 inches) long, larger and more robust than any other blue pigeon species. It is an omnivore and it feeds on fruits, nuts, and molluscs. The Mauritius blue pigeon is widespread in the forests of Mauritius. The conservation status of the Mauritius blue pigeon is Near Threatened due to some habitat loss and historic poaching, however, thanks to the conservationists, the Mauritius blue pigeon is a protected species and is making a comeback.