Pacific Imperial-Pigeon
Ducula pacifica
A large pigeon with a mostly gray body, green wings, and a distinctive and diagnostic black fleshy knob above the bill. Found mostly in inland forest up to around 1000 meters of elevation. Juvenile resembles Island Imperial-Pigeon, but is smaller and overall darker, especially on the wings. Adult is separated from Island Imperial-Pigeon by its black bill knob. Often heard giving an extended, rapidly bubbling “crrrroooooo” call.
Identification
The Pacific imperial pigeon is 36–41 cm (14–16 in) in overall length and weighs 370–420 g (13–15 oz). The back, tail and wings are blackish-green, the head and neck are light grey. The breast is grey with a pinkish tinge. The undertail coverts are brown. The bill is black with a knob on the upper mantle. The iris is red. The female is slightly smaller. The juvenile lacks the knob on the bill, is duller and lacks the pink on the breast.
Taxonomy
The Pacific imperial pigeon was formally described in 1789 by the German naturalist Johann Friedrich Gmelin in his revised and expanded edition of Carl Linnaeus's Systema Naturae. He placed it with all the other doves and pigeons in the genus Columba and coined the binomial name Columba pacifica. Gmelin based his description on the "Ferruginous-vented pigeon" from the "Friendly Isles in the South Seas" (now the Tonga Islands in the South Pacific) that had been described in 1783 by English ornithologist John Latham. The Pacific imperial pigeon is now placed with 40 other Imperial pigeons in the genus Ducula that was introduced in 1836 by the English naturalist Brian Houghton Hodgson. The genus name Ducula is from the Latin dux genitive ducis meaning "leader".<p>Two subspecies are recognised:
- Scientific name
- Ducula pacifica
- Authority
- (Gmelin, JF, 1789)
- Order
- Columbiformes
- Family
- Columbidae
- Genus
- Ducula
Range and habitat
Its natural habitats are tropical moist lowland forests on smaller islands and tropical moist montane forest on larger islands. It will travel across parts of its range between islands to forage. Individuals may gather to form large flocks in fruiting trees and travel some distances to forage.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The species is frugiverous, taking a number of different species of fruit, and occasionally leaves and flowers.<p>Pairs nest in high trees, constructing a concealed, unlined untidy nest of twigs. Usually a single egg is laid, with incubation being undertaken by both sexes.
Conservation
The species has suffered from habitat loss and hunting pressure, and has declined locally in some areas, but it remains common over much of its range, and is listed as least concern by the IUCN. It is most vulnerable in smaller islands. It was hunted in prehistoric times in Tonga and Samoa with elaborate traps on stone platforms, and these hunts were of considerable cultural significance.<p>In Niue this breed is called a Lupe. It is a delicacy for the locals. It is now protected but people still hunt them. It is unknown where they breed or come from as no evidence of their nests have ever been found in Niue.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
New Zealand Fernbird
Poodytes punctatus
Small passerine endemic to New Zealand. Shows extensive brown streaking above with paler coloration underneath. Distinctive long tail has a frayed look. Both sexes and juveniles alike. Patchily distributed across North, South, Stewart, and Snares Islands in wetland habitat, often where vegetation is thick. Can occur in shrubland and tussock grassland. Cryptic bird, heard more often than seen. Gives a sharp “tchip” call and a metallic “u-tick,” often in duet as a pair. Note drooping tail during low flight. Distinguishable from Dunnock by larger size, longer tail, and lighter underparts.
Western Dwarf Hornbill
Horizocerus hartlaubi
A small, dark forest hornbill found predominantly in primary forest subcanopy, where it prefers areas with abundant vines. This species is unique in its overall dark coloration and its broad white eyebrow that extends to the back of the head. The only similarly-sized forest hornbill in its range is the more reddish Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill, but Western Dwarf Hornbill has a less well-defined border between the dark chest and white belly, and only Western Dwarf Hornbill has the broad white eyebrow behind the eye. Voice is a repetitive “yep yep yep yep” that can be repeated at length, sometimes accompanied with a howl.
Santa Marta Foliage-gleaner
Clibanornis rufipectus
A shy, uniformly chestnut-brown bird found in the foothills and lower slopes of Colombia’s Santa Marta Mountains. It lacks strong field marks, but has a rather stout bill and is slightly paler on the chin and around the eye. Always stays inside dense tangles in the forest understory, making it hard to see, and is heard much more often than it is seen. Song is a series of quick bursts of around five notes with an odd, nasal quality.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.