Green imperial pigeon

Green imperial pigeon
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Aves
Order:Columbiformes
Family:Columbidae
Genus:Ducula
Species: D. aenea
Binomial name
Ducula aenea
(Linnaeus, 1766)
Synonyms
  • Columba aenea Linnaeus, 1766
  • Carpophaga aenothorax
  • Ducula aeneus (Linnaeus, 1766)

The green imperial pigeon (Ducula aenea) is a large forest pigeon.

Description

The green imperial pigeon is a large, plump pigeon, 45 cm in length. Its back, wings and tail are metallic green. The head and underparts are white, apart from maroon undertail coverts. Sexes are similar. The bird's call is deep and resonant, and is often the first indication of the presence of this treetop species. The Nicobar imperial pigeon (Ducula nicobarica) is sometimes still considered conspecific.

Distribution and habitat

This is a forest species which is a widespread resident breeding bird in tropical southern Asia from India east to Indonesia. It has several subspecies, including the distinctive Celebes form, chestnut-naped imperial pigeon (Ducula aenea paulina).

Behaviour

D. a. paulina at San Diego Zoo, USA

This is an arboreal dove, feeding on plant material in the tree canopy. Its flight is fast and direct, with the regular beats and an occasional sharp flick of the wings which are characteristic of pigeons in general. It builds a stick nest in a tree and lays a single white egg. The birds are not very gregarious, but will form small flocks.

References

  1. ↑ BirdLife International (2016). "Ducula aenea". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN. 2016: e.T22725586A94896636. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22725586A94896636.en. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  • Birds of India by Grimmett, Inskipp and Inskipp, ISBN 0-691-04910-6
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