Nilgiri wood pigeon

The Nilgiri Woodpigeon (Columba elphinstonii) is a bird endemic to moist deciduous forests and sholas (high altitude evergreen forests exclusive to the Western Ghats) of South India. They are identified by their classical checkerboard pattern on their napes. They are a globally threatened species.

A few relict populations may still survive on the high altitude hills of the peninsula outside the Western Ghats formation (Eg. Nandi Hills near Bangalore)