New Caledonian Imperial-Pigeon
Ducula goliath
Enormous, long-tailed, mostly dark slaty-blue pigeon with dark rufous belly and vent. Tail dark chestnut at the base and dark gray towards the tip. Found throughout New Caledonia, preferring hilly or montane forest and most common in areas with high-quality habitat. Larger than any other pigeon or dove species on New Caledonia. Listen for its far-carrying low-pitched booming song, especially early in the morning.
Identification
The goliath imperial pigeon is about 51 cm (20 in) long, making it one of the largest species of arboreal pigeon. It is a slender bird with a long tail, weighing 600–716 g (21.2–25.3 oz). The head and neck are blue-grey. The upperparts and wings are sooty-grey, with a grey panel on the primaries' bases. The tail is black and has a dark chestnut band. The neck and upper breast have bifurcated feathers, so they appear shaggy or furrowed. The lower breast is sooty-grey, the belly and flanks are purplish-chestnut, and the vent is buffy-yellow. The eye is bright red, and the beak and feet are pinkish or vinous-red. The juvenile bird has a duller plumage, with no bifurcations.
Taxonomy
This species was described as Carpophaga (Phænorhina) goliath by George Robert Gray in 1859. It is a monotypic species.
- Scientific name
- Ducula goliath
- Authority
- (Gray, GR, 1859)
- Order
- Columbiformes
- Family
- Columbidae
- Genus
- Ducula
Range and habitat
This pigeon is endemic to New Caledonia, on Grande Terre and the Isle of Pines. Its habitat is mostly humid primary forest, up to 1,500 m (4,900 ft) in elevation.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The goliath imperial pigeon is found singly or in pairs. It feeds on fruits, leaves and flowers, and it moves locally to eat fruits. Early in the morning, it warms itself on a branch. Its call is a low oom, and it also gives a gkrarr at dusk. It breeds from June to December. The nest, 30–40 cm (12–16 in) in diameter, is woven from twigs and built on a branch. One white egg is laid and incubated by both parents.
Conservation
- Population trend
- unknown
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
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