Malabar Imperial-Pigeon
Ducula cuprea
Large elegant pearl-gray pigeon with dark-brown wings. There is a broad gray band across the end of the tail that is especially obvious in flight. Inhabits mature rainforest and deciduous forest, mostly in foothills and montane areas, but sometimes down to sea level. Forages in upper levels of forest, often in small flocks. Flies powerfully over the canopy. Song is deep and resonant: “ouh-woOO WOO.” General coloration similar to Nilgiri Wood-Pigeon, but larger, and lacks that species’ black-and-white patch on the back of the neck. Similar size and structure to Green Imperial-Pigeon, but has many differences, including a brown rather than green back, and the lack of a chestnut undertail patch.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Ducula cuprea
- Authority
- (Jerdon, 1840)
- Order
- Columbiformes
- Family
- Columbidae
- Genus
- Ducula
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Flock Bronzewing
Phaps histrionica
Large desert pigeon, typically observed as fast-flying flocks coming in to drink in the morning or evening in arid and semi-arid inland Northern Australia. Plain brown above, plain gray below. Male has black-and-white patterned head, in female and juvenile a more muted brown-and-white pattern. Upperwings plain brown, with plain gray outer wing; similar Common Bronzewing has a metallic wing panel.
Ochre-striped Antpitta
Grallaria dignissima
Scarce and very shy antpitta of lowland rainforest in eastern Ecuador, northeastern Peru, and bordering parts of Colombia. It has brown upperparts, an orange throat and breast, and a black-and-white striped belly. Solitary; usually stays on the ground in dense cover where it is extremely hard to see. Song, which can be imitated by good whistlers, consists of two notes; the first is short, and the second is longer and downslurred.
Lichtenstein's Sandgrouse
Pterocles lichtensteinii
Small, shy sandgrouse of harsh deserts. Beautifully patterned all over with fine black stripes. Male has black-and-white forehead pattern and broad sandy and black horizontal bars across his breast. Both sexes have a pale yellowish eyering. Rather compact with a short rear. Inhabits stony, mountainous deserts. Unlike most other sandgrouse, drinks at dusk. In flight utters odd, urgent squeaks.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.