Pacific Imperial Pigeon
A species of Imperial pigeons Scientific name : Ducula pacifica Genus : Imperial pigeons
Pacific Imperial Pigeon, A species of Imperial pigeons
Botanical name: Ducula pacifica
Genus: Imperial pigeons
Content
Description
Photo By pl_stenger , used under CC-BY-NC-4.0 /Cropped and compressed from original
Description
The Pacific imperial pigeon (Ducula pacifica) is a widespread species of pigeon in the family Columbidae. It is found in American Samoa, the Cook Islands, the smaller islands of eastern Fiji, Kiribati, Niue, the smaller satellite islands of Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and Wallis and Futuna Islands. Its natural habitats are tropical moist lowland forests on smaller islands and tropical moist montane forest on larger islands. Across parts of its range it will travel between islands in order to forage. Individuals may gather to form large flocks in fruiting trees and travel some distances forage. The species is frugiverous, taking a number of different species of fruit, and occasionally leaves and flowers. Pairs nest in high trees, constructing a concealed, unlined untidy nest of twigs. Usually a single egg is laid, with incubation being undertaken by both sexes. The species has suffered from habitat loss and hunting pressure, and has declined locally in some areas, but it remains common over much of its range, and is listed as least concern by the IUCN. It is most vulnerable in smaller islands. It was hunted in prehistoric times in Tonga and Samoa with elaborate traps on stone platforms, and these hunts were of considerable cultural significance.
Size
41 cm
Feeding Habits
Pacific Imperial Pigeon is primarily frugivorous, consuming fruits of 22 tree species including large-seeded drupes. It occasionally eats young leaves and flower buds. Pacific Imperial Pigeon forages mostly perched, employing unique techniques to access hard-to-reach fruits and is a key large seed disperser.
Habitat
Pacific Imperial Pigeon is commonly found in a variety of forested environments across larger Pacific islands. In particular, pacific Imperial Pigeon can be seen in montane rainforests and, on smaller islands, in dry littoral forests and scrubland. These birds favor regions that support dense vegetation, providing both food sources and nesting opportunities within these forest habitats.
Dite type
Frugivorous
Photo By pl_stenger , used under CC-BY-NC-4.0 /Cropped and compressed from original
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Pigeons and doves Family
Dove Genus
Imperial pigeons Species
Pacific Imperial Pigeon