Tanna Fruit-Dove

Ptilinopus tannensis

A relatively large fruit dove. Deep pine green in color, with bright yellow spots in the wing and a yellow-dusted head. Often found in pairs, but can be found in large groups at fruiting trees. Larger than Red-bellied Fruit Dove, and female has yellow wing spots. Most common call is a series of low, rising “woot” calls heard regularly throughout the species’ range.

Identification

The Tanna fruit dove (Ptilinopus tannensis) is a species of bird in the family Columbidae. It is endemic to Vanuatu. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, subtropical or tropical moist montane forest, and heavily degraded former forest.

Taxonomy

Genus: Ptilinopus; Family: Columbidae; Order: Columbiformes.

Scientific name
Ptilinopus tannensis
Authority
(Latham, 1790)
Order
Columbiformes
Family
Columbidae
Genus
Ptilinopus

Range and habitat

Migration
Nomadic

Behavior

Migration pattern: Nomadic.

Conservation

Population trend: declining.

Population trend
declining

Photos

Distribution

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