Grey-headed imperial pigeon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Grey-headed imperial pigeon |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Ducula
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| Species: |
radiata
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The grey-headed imperial pigeon (Ducula radiata) is a special kind of bird. It belongs to the Columbidae family, which includes pigeons and doves. This pigeon is only found on the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia. It loves living in moist forests, both in lowlands and on mountains.
Contents
What Does It Look Like?
The grey-headed imperial pigeon is a medium-sized bird. It has a long tail and is about 38 cm (15 in) long. Its head and belly are grey. The back of its neck is black. Its upper body is a shiny metallic green. This green color has a brownish-crimson shine on its shoulders.
The tail is dark. It has a thin, light grey band near its base, but it's hard to see. Its eyes are orange. The beak is olive-green with a black tip, or sometimes all black. Its legs are purplish-red.
There is a similar bird called the white-bellied imperial pigeon. It is bigger and heavier. It also has a wider grey band on its tail, which is easier to see.
Where Does It Live?
The grey-headed imperial pigeon lives only on the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia. This means it is endemic to that island. It mostly lives in mountain forests. You can usually find it at heights between 1,100 and 2,400 m (3,600 and 7,900 ft). Sometimes, it visits lower areas near the mountains. It prefers old, untouched forests. But you can also find it in forests that are growing back or at the edges of woodlands.
Daily Life and Habits
You will often see the grey-headed imperial pigeon in pairs or by itself. Outside of the breeding season, they might gather in small groups of up to twenty birds. This pigeon flies fast and straight. Sometimes, you can see it flying high above the forest trees.
Like other imperial pigeons, it eats fruit. It picks fruit right from the tree branches. It moves around skillfully in the treetops to find food. It swallows fruits whole. By doing this, it helps spread the seeds of the fruits. This helps new plants grow in the forest.
Reproduction and Family Life
Nests of the grey-headed imperial pigeon have been found in December and March. This suggests they might have a long breeding season. The female lays only one egg. The nest can be on a cliff ledge, inside a hole in a tree, or in a safe, sheltered spot.
Is It Endangered?
The grey-headed imperial pigeon is not very common. However, it lives in many different places. Its population seems to be stable, which means the number of these birds is not going down. Because of this, the International Union for Conservation of Nature says its conservation status is "least concern". This means it is not currently at risk of disappearing.
