Alternative name: Goliath Imperial Pigeon
- Ducula goliath
Identification
50-51 cm (19 ¾-20 in) A very large arboreal pigeon
- General plumage dark slate-grey
- Sooty grey upperparts
- Streaky blue-gray head, neck and breast
- Paler primary bases
- Chestnut belly
- Buffy undertail coverts.
- Long tail with chestnut band.
Juvenile is duller and browner. Sexes alike although female slightly smaller.
Distribution
New Caledonia including Isle of Pines.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species[1].
Habitat
Primary montane and moist lowland forest.
Behaviour
Diet
This frugivorous species feeds on fruits and berries including the introduced chili pepper (Capsicum).
Breeding
Only known nest described made of twigs placed in a tree fork. It had one nestling.
Vocalisation
An owl-like, rhythmic series of low-pitched hoots.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, S. M. Billerman, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2019. The eBird/Clements Checklist of Birds of the World: v2019. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Baptista, L.F., Trail, P.W., Horblit, H.M., Boesman, P. & Garcia, E.F.J. (2019). New Caledonian Imperial-pigeon (Ducula goliath). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from https://www.hbw.com/node/54389 on 5 December 2019).
- Barre, N.; Wichatitsky, M. de G.; Lecoq, R.; Maillard, J.-C. 2003. Contribution to the knowledge of the New Caledonian imperial pigeon Ducula goliath (Gray, 1859), with emphasis on sexual dimorphism. Notornis 50(3): 155-160
- BirdLife International 2016. Ducula goliath. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22691754A93323858. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22691754A93323858.en. Downloaded on 05 December 2019.
- Dutson, G. (2011) Birds of Melanesia, Christopher Helm, London.
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) New Caledonian Imperial Pigeon. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 27 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/New_Caledonian_Imperial_Pigeon
External Links
{GS-checked}}
