Rufescent Imperial-Pigeon
Ducula chalconota
A fairly large pigeon of montane forest interior. Green rump, pale orange chest, deep rufous belly and black band in the tail. Forages for fruit, singly or in pairs in the upper or mid-canopy. Similar to Purple-tailed Imperial-Pigeon but Rufescent occurs at higher elevations and has more extensive gray on the sides of the neck. Papuan Mountain-Pigeon more likely to co-occur but Rufescent lacks the white chest and has green rather than grey back. Not very vocal. Call a mournful downslurred “wooo”.
Identification
To compare, the Male Rufescent Imperial Pigeon is about 41 to 42 centimeters or about 16 to 17 inches in length. In contrast, females are smaller, about 37 to 39 centimeters or 15 inches long, and can be distinguished by slight color differences. Both weigh around 21-22 ounces. Rufescent Imperial Pigeons, both male and female, are larger than most of the other pigeon species. In the subspecies smaragdina, the head is slaty-grey. The back and wing coverts are metallic green, with bronzy and bluish reflections, and the flight feathers are darker and more bluish. The tail is blackish and has a blue gloss. The throat is cinnamon, and the breast is vinous. The belly and flanks are chestnut. The feet are red, the eye is reddish, and the beak is dark slate. The female is very similar to the male. The juvenile bird has a paler head and neck, and its breast is vaguely greyish. The subspecies chalconota has a reddish-purple iridescence on its mantle and back.
Taxonomy
This species was described by Tommaso Salvadori as Carpophaga chalconota in 1874. Two subspecies are recognised: Ducula chalconota chalconota found in Vogelkop and D. c. smaragdina found in western, central and eastern New Guinea. A distinct population in the Foja Mountains has been reported.
- Scientific name
- Ducula chalconota
- Authority
- (Salvadori, 1874)
- Order
- Columbiformes
- Family
- Columbidae
- Genus
- Ducula
Range and habitat
The Rufescent Imperial Pigeon can be found in the deeper layers of the Montane Forest in New Guinea. The forest environment is the habitat to this pigeon's lifestyle because it allows Rufescent Imperial Pigeons to be at a high elevation level of 3,600 feet tall to around 8,200 feet high. Compared to other members of the Columbidae family, this elevation is high to be a habitat. Male and female Rufescent Imperial Pigeons can be found in these forests, primarily single, but sometimes they can be found in pairs (inaturalist).
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
It often sits in the middle layers of the forest, and it does not leave the forest. Usually silent, it hums slowly and mournfully and also gives a low hoo and a hollow knock. Duetting has been observed. It eats figs and fruits. The breeding is unknown except that individuals in breeding condition have been collected in February and March.<p>Determining a Rufescent Imperial Pigeon is mainly done through visuals rather than vocals. This bird does not vocally express itself frequently, but when alarmed a hollow knock sound will echo through the forest. This hollow knock is known to sound like a slurred "woo". Coloring, though, is a more simplistic way to determine a rufescent imperial pigeon. Their chest is a pale-orange color that leads to a deep rufous belly and a black band in the tail. Females are distinguished by having a less reddish iridescence than males. Despite the fact that this bird is a pigeon, discovering a Rufescent Imperial Pigeon would be a very rare occurrence.
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
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Cinnyris batesi
A very small nondescript sunbird with a short orange-based bill that curves uniformly along its length; easily mistaken for females of other sunbirds. The only features on the olive upperparts are indistinct paler eyebrows and lines running under the eyes, and yellow edging to the wings. Although often hidden, the male has yellow or whitish (not red) tufts at the shoulders. Singles are local and inconspicuous at the edges of lowland and riverine forest, sometimes entering secondary growth; it joins mixed-flocks and is frequently attracted to epiphytes in mossy clumps. Calls a high-pitched “tseeep” and trills. Little Green and Fraser’s sunbirds are similar to Bates’s but brighter, with straighter bills and more distinct yellowish eye-rings; Ursula’s Sunbird has a long decurved bill and grayish face and underparts.
Dusky Twinspot
Euschistospiza cinereovinacea
Unusual, very dark twinspot with small and faint “twin spots” on the belly. The red rump is conspicuous in flight. Found in grassy areas along forest edge and in lush cultivation. Not very vocal, but gives quiet twitters and a “tsip” call. Similar in size and overall coloration to Dusky Crimsonwing, but shows red on the flanks and none on the face.
Sharp-billed Treehunter
Heliobletus contaminatus
Small foliage-gleaner with a short pointed bill and long tail. Found in the canopy of montane forests including Araucaria forests where it acrobatically gleans epiphytic vegetation. Dark-brown on the back with a buffy-yellow eyebrow and collar, a heavily streaked breast, and a rufous tail. Usually follows mixed-species flocks. The song is a sharp, high rattle.
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