Metallic Pigeon - BirdForum Opus

Columba vitiensis

Alternative name(s): White-throated Pigeon

Subspecies vitiensis. Photo by Matalevu
Photo taken: Pacific Harbour, Fiji

Identification

37-41 cm.

• crown purple and green
• wing and uppertail coverts black
• iris yellowish red
• bill yellow
• orbital skin red
• chin and ear coverts white or grey (subspecies dependent)
• feet purple

Sexes are similar. Immatures are duller than adults.

Distribution

Indonesia, the Philippines, New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Fiji, New Caledonia, Samoa.

Taxonomy

Some authorities restrict "Metallic Pigeon" to subspecies metallica (i.e. C. metallica), placing others (at least griseogularis and halmaheira [2]) into "White-throated Pigeon", C. vitiensis. Reference [2] regards the differences as minor, suggesting that the plumage of griseogularis is transitional between the forms.

Subspecies

Clements recognises the following subspecies [1]:

• C. v. griseogularis: Philippines, Sulu Archipelago and islands off northern Borneo
• C. v. anthracina: Palawan and adjacent islands (Calauit, Comiran, and Lambucan), Philippines
• C. v. metallica: Lesser Sundas
• C. v. halmaheira: Banggai, Sula islands, Kai, Moluccas to New Guinea and Solomons
• C. v. leopoldi: Vanuatu
• C. v. hypoenochroa: New Caledonia, Isle of Pines and Loyalty Islands
• C. v. vitiensis: Fiji Islands
• C. v. castaneiceps: Western Samoa (Savai'i, Apolima, Manono and Upolu)

Habitat

Occurs in lowland and montane forests and edges, often close to human settlements on small islands. Forages both in trees and on the ground.

Behaviour

The diet includes fruits, grains, seeds and berries.

Lays 1-2 eggs.

References

1. Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, T. A. Fredericks, J. A. Gerbracht, D. Lepage, S. M. Billerman, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2022. The eBird/Clements checklist of Birds of the World: v2022. Downloaded from https://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
2. Eaton, JA, B van Balen, NW Brickle, FE Rheindt 2021. Birds of the Indonesian Archipelago (Greater Sundas and Wallacea), Second Edition. Lynx Editions. ISBN978-84-16728-44-2

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