FIRST RECORD OF NICOBAR PIGEON (Caloenas nicobarica) IN PULAU TINGGI, JOHOR, MALAYSIA

Being surrounded by many islands, Malaysia is blessed as it may own an endemic, endangered and migratory species in its islands. Pulau Tinggi is one of the islands located in Southeast Peninsular Malaysia. It is one of the biggest islands in Johor, Malaysia. However, the avifauna has not yet been documented in Pulau Tinggi. This paper discusses the first record of the Nicobar Pigeon (Caloenas nicobarica) in Pulau Tinggi, Johor, Malaysia. Nicobar pigeons were recorded in camera traps installed around the island from June to October 2019. Besides the Nicobar pigeon, our camera traps also recorded another five avian species, which are the Emerald dove (Chalcophaps indica), White-rumped shama (Copsychus malabaricus), Changeable hawk-eagle (Nisaetus cirrhatus), White-bellied sea eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster) and Grey-headed fish-eagle (Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus). The record of the Nicobar pigeon is exceptional as this species is restricted to small islands and absent from the mainland. It has unique behaviour and enticing morphology. This species is globally threatened and has recently been declared an endangered species. Nicobar pigeon’s discovery proved a high potential to develop ecotourism or a key site for avian conservation in Pulau Tinggi.