Spotted Imperial-Pigeon
Ducula carola
A fairly large pigeon of lowland and montane forest canopy with a pale gray head, breast, and back, a rufous belly, and spotted wings. The chest and belly colors blend in the female, but are separated by a black breast band in the male, the width of which varies with race. Occurs together with other imperial-pigeon species, but differs in having a rufous belly. Song is an accelerating series of deep hoots.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Ducula carola
- Authority
- (Bonaparte, 1854)
- Order
- Columbiformes
- Family
- Columbidae
- Genus
- Ducula
Range and habitat
The spotted imperial pigeon is endemic to the Philippines. It has been recorded on Luzon, Mindoro, Sibuyan, Negros, Siquijor and Mindanao, but may be locally extinct on some islands. Its habitats are forests and forest edges, including areas with some logging. It is usually found below elevations of 2,000 m (6,600 ft) above sea level. Seasonally visits limestone shorelines for reasons that have yet to be fully studied.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
This pigeon is often found in flocks of more than 30 individuals. It associates with the green imperial pigeon. The spotted imperial pigeon's voices include po po po po po, and a hu hu hu hu hu call. Captive birds give low oomph notes. It eats fruits from Eugenia and Ficus trees. It probably breeds from February to July. One nest has been recorded in a hollow in a cliff. Flocks react to the availability of food by moving great distances daily and seasonally. Seasonally visits limestone shorelines for reasons that have yet to be fully studied. Richard Ruiz, who has been monitoring the annual return of the pigeons to Pasuquin shoreline since 2011, says the seasonal movement may be a way for the birds to "socialize". Other theories suggest the pigeons fly down to the coast to ingest calcium and other nutrients that are needed to strengthen their egg shells. Others say the birds travel to the coast to drink or bathe in salt water.
Conservation
The population size is estimated at 2500–9999 mature birds, or 3500–15000 total individuals. This species may have become locally extinct on Sibuyan, Mindoro and Siquijor. In the 1950s, it was common on Negros but has not been recorded there recently. It has also declined on Luzon and Mindanao. It is threatened by habitat loss and hunting. Spotted Imperial Pigeons have been recorded on the pet trade. Spotted imperial pigeons occur in the protected Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park and Mt. Kitanglad Natural Park. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed the species's conservation status as vulnerable.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
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Dark, chunky barbet with an odd tuft of feathers on its forehead. The eye is pale in the eastern part of the range and dark in the west. Usually in small groups on and around dead trees in humid forest and secondary growth. The vocalizations include nasal “squeaky toy” calls, “peet” notes, and a dry rattle. Similar to Naked-faced and Bristle-nosed Barbets, but has a mostly feathered head and a dark bill. Sladen’s Barbet also has a dark bill, but Gray-throated is separated from that species by its feathered head.
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