Henderson Island Fruit-Dove
Ptilinopus insularis
Relatively subdued in coloration for a fruit-dove. Has a dusky gray chest and face, a yellow eye-ring, a magenta forehead patch, and mostly green wings and body. An adaptable species found at all elevations. Shares its range with no similar species. Call is typically a long series of “woot” notes, well spaced and gradually descending in pitch.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Ptilinopus insularis
- Authority
- North, 1908
- Order
- Columbiformes
- Family
- Columbidae
- Genus
- Ptilinopus
Range and habitat
The Henderson Fruit Dove is endemic to Henderson Island in the South Pacific Pitcairn Island group.<p>Its natural habitat is tropical moist lowland scrub forest, which it formerly shared with three other endemic species of pigeon, now extinct.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Since the Henderson Island Fruit Dove only lives on Henderson Island, it does not travel far. The bird is territorial and only responds to the playback of the bird call, which sounds like a long series of “woot” notes that are well-spaced and gradually decrease in pitch. The bird sounds are 10–15 notes on an even pitch that gradually accelerate and last between 6-7 seconds. When hearing this bird call, they only travel 100–200 m (330–660 ft) over the forest. Since this bird species only lives on one island, it is easy for them to breed. They breed during the months of March and April.
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Bougainville Fantail
Rhipidura drownei
Small and drab with a long, often fanned tail. Mostly gray-brown above and slightly lighter tawny below, with a grayish head and a white eyebrow. Inhabits montane forest above 700 meters of elevation. Similar to White-winged Fantail, but has a plain grayish chest. Separated from Solomons Rufous Fantail by much duller plumage and lack of white tail tip. Voice includes a faint, high-pitched tinkling whistle.
Eurasian Pygmy-Owl
Glaucidium passerinum
Tiny, almost sparrow-sized, owl of coniferous and mixed forests. Note staring golden eyes, white eyebrows, and fine pale spotting on the crown. Most active around dusk and dawn, but can be seen hunting in the daytime as well. Sometimes perches atop conifers, but more often rather inconspicuous; can be quite bold when encountered. Song is a varied series of whistled toots, usually given around dawn and dusk and easily imitated.
Indigo-capped Hummingbird
Saucerottia cyanifrons
Medium-sized hummingbird with restricted range in central Colombia. Distinctive: all green with a contrasting blue crown, white leg puffs, and reddish lower mandible. Occurs in the middle to upper levels of forests, edges, and shrubby gardens from around 1,000 to 2,000 m. Visits feeders.
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