Whistling Dove
Ptilinopus layardi
A unique Fijian dove. Male’s combination of bright yellow head, green body, and yellow undertail is diagnostic. Female is mostly green with a variably gray belly patch and yellow undertail. She resembles female Orange and Golden Doves, but those species do not overlap in range. Frequently heard giving two call types: a loud rising whistle followed by a metallic note, “wheEE!-chit”; and a second, more sneeze-like “nyehh.”
Identification
The whistling fruit dove is a small dove (20 cm) that is sexually dimorphic in its velvety plumage. The plumage of the male is dark green with a yellow head and undertail coverts, the female lacks the yellow plumage. They are difficult to see in the forest canopy, but can be found due to their distinctive call, a clear rising whistle followed by a falling 'tinkle'
Taxonomy
The whistling fruit dove is the most primitive of the "golden doves", a small subgroup of the genus Ptilinopus which includes two other small Fijian fruit doves, the golden fruit dove and the orange fruit dove. The group was once split into its own genus, Chrysoenas.
- Scientific name
- Ptilinopus layardi
- Authority
- Elliot, DG, 1878
- Order
- Columbiformes
- Family
- Columbidae
- Genus
- Ptilinopus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Green-headed Oriole
Oriolus chlorocephalus
Old World oriole with mostly yellow plumage, a dull-green hood, and a red bill. Found in forest, forest edge, lush woodland, and adjacent secondary habitats, at low and middle elevations. Song is a series of slurred, liquid whistles, and calls include a raspy, up-slurred whine. Similar to African Black-headed Oriole, but with a good view, easily separated by the green rather than black hood. Often found in the same areas as Eurasian Golden and African Golden Orioles, but distinguished by being hooded rather than yellow-headed.
Yellow-throated Honeyeater
Nesoptilotis flavicollis
Medium-large honeyeater with bright yellow throat. Back is olive green, head and breast are gray. Underbody and wings have subtle yellow coloration. Juveniles very similar to adults but are duller and have yellow at the base of the bill. Endemic to Tasmania and some surrounding islands; found in most forest and woodland habitats. Feeds primarily on insects and can often be seen foraging on tree trunks.
Papuan Black Myzomela
Myzomela nigrita
A small honeyeater of foothill forest canopy and edge. Male is uniform jet black and female dull brown with a red forehead and chin. Similar to male Black Sunbird, but male Papuan Black Myzomela lacks the iridescence and white underwings. Similar to female Red and Elfin Myzomelas but female Red has a red tail and female Elfin lacks the red forehead. Call, a simple, high-pitch “tsip!” like other myzomelas.
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