Geelvink Fruit-Dove
Ptilinopus speciosus
Localized endemic of islands in West Papua’s Geelvink Bay, including Biak and Numfor. Males have a large, bright “fried egg” yellow-and-white patch on the chest and a hot pink patch on the belly. Otherwise mostly green, aside from yellow undertail. Females are green, with yellow on the undertail and belly. Found in lowland rainforest. The song is an accelerating series of two-part “hoo-wooo” notes given in a series, usually of 7-9 notes. Similar to White-breasted Fruit-Dove, but smaller overall and smaller-billed, and males further separated by their distinctive breast pattern.
Identification
The male has a dark green head and upperparts, a mauve belly, a bright yellow breast band bordered by white, and bold lime-yellow bare skin around the eyes. The female and juveniles are almost entirely green with yellow fringes to the belly feathers.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Ptilinopus speciosus
- Authority
- Schlegel, 1871
- Order
- Columbiformes
- Family
- Columbidae
- Genus
- Ptilinopus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Brown-capped Vireo
Vireo leucophrys
Rather plain vireo of humid evergreen and pine-evergreen forest in highlands and foothills. Northern populations (Mexico to Nicaragua) look and sound much like Warbling Vireo, but with browner upperparts and a distinctly brown cap. Usually at middle to upper levels in trees, where sings persistently in summer. Southern populations (Costa Rica to South America) have different song and distinct yellowish wash on breast and belly.
Bronze-winged Parrot
Pionus chalcopterus
A medium-sized parrot that usually looks all dark. With a good view, note the deep bluish-purple color overall with bronzy wings, messy pink splotches on the upper breast, and red undertail coverts. In flight, the bright blue underwings often stand out. Also look for the very deep wingbeats that seem to almost touch on the downstroke and barely come above horizontal on the upstroke – this helps separate members of the Pionus genus from the larger Amazona parrots. Bronze-winged is fairly common in forest and adjacent clearings in lowlands and foothills, up to around 2,500m. It is usually found in small flocks, most often seen in flight but also perched in the canopy or around fruiting trees.
Mongolian Gull
Larus mongolicus
A large gull that breeds mainly inland, and migrates to the coast for the winter. Adults have a fairly pale gray back, pale eye, and dull yellow legs that can have a hint of pink coloration. Takes four years for immatures to progress from mostly brown to fully white and gray adult plumage; intermediate plumages are often mottled and messy. Variable plumage can make identification tricky. Occurs inland and along the coast, frequenting river mouths, harbors, beaches, lakes, and ponds. Often forms flocks with other gulls. Very similar to Vega Gull, and separation often difficult, but has a smaller head and bill; adults also generally have yellower legs.
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