The Green Imperial Pigeon (Ducula aenea) is a pigeon which is a
widespread r esident
breeding bird in tropical southern Asia from India east to Indonesia. It
has a number of subspecies, of which the distinctive Celebes form,
Chestnut-naped Imperial Pigeon (Ducula aenea paulina) is pictured.
This is a forest species; it builds a stick nest in a tree and lays a
single white
 egg.
Its flight is fast and direct, with the regular beats and an occasional
sharp flick of the wings which are characteristic of pigeons in general.
Green Imperial Pigeon is a large plump pigeon, 45cm in length. Its
back, wings and tail are metallic green. The head and underparts are
white, apart from maroon undertail coverts. Sexes are similar.
This is an arboreal dove, feeding on plant material in the tree
canopy. They are not very gregarious, but will form small flocks. The
bird's call is deep and resonant, and is often the first indication of
the presence of this treetop species. |
