Elegant Imperial Pigeon

Overview

The elegant imperial pigeon (Ducula concinna), also known as the blue-tailed imperial-pigeon, is a large pigeon classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. It is characterised by its substantial size and distinct iridescent plumage.

Identification

• Measures 43 cm in length with upperparts that are shimmering dark green and a tail top that is purplish-blue.
• Head, neck, and underparts are pale grey with a pink tinge, while undertail coverts are reddish-brown.
• Possesses a black or bluish-grey bill with a ring of white feathers at the base, golden irises, and pinkish-red to crimson feet.
• Vocalisation consists of a loud, throaty, barking 'urrau' interspersed with low-pitched, upslurred growls.

Habitat

Inhabits small islands in Wallacea and off New Guinea, including the Talaud Islands, Sangihe, southern Sulawesi, southern Maluku Islands, eastern Lesser Sundas, and the Aru Islands. Primarily found in primary and secondary forests, forest edges, and trees in cultivated areas, mostly at lowland elevations up to 850 m.

Diet

Feeds on fruit, including young coconuts, Ficus figs, Canarium species, Gnetum gnemon, Barringtonia asiatica, Falcataria moluccana, Eusideroxylon zwageri, and Toona sureni. Foraging flocks can consist of up to 40 birds, and the species is thought to migrate between small islands to locate food.

Did you know?

A vagrant individual was observed in Darwin, Australia, where it was recorded feeding on banyan and palm trees, possibly having travelled there with migrating Torresian imperial pigeons.