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

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