Golden fruit dove facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Golden fruit dove |
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| male | |
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| female | |
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| Genus: |
Ptilinopus
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| Species: |
luteovirens
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The golden fruit dove (Ptilinopus luteovirens) is a small, colorful bird found only in the forests of Fiji. It's also known by other names like the golden dove, lemon dove, or yellow dove. This bird is about 20 centimeters (8 inches) long and has a short tail. It belongs to the dove family, and its name comes from the male's bright golden-yellow feathers.
The male golden fruit dove is truly striking. Its body feathers look almost shiny and can change color slightly in different light. This is because they are long and feel a bit like hair. The bird's head is a little less bright, with a hint of green. Its beak, the skin around its eyes, and its legs are bluish-green. The iris (the colored part of its eye) is whitish. The feathers under its wings and tail are yellow. The female golden fruit dove is a dark green bird, but her beak, eye skin, and legs look similar to the male's. Young birds look like the female.
Golden fruit doves live only in the forests of Fiji. Their main food includes different small fruits, berries, and insects. The female usually lays just one white egg.
The golden fruit dove is closely related to the whistling fruit dove and orange fruit dove. These birds live in different places and do not share the same habitat.
This species is common in the areas where it lives. Because of this, the golden fruit dove is listed as "Least Concern" on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. This means it is not currently at risk of disappearing.
About the Golden Fruit Dove
The golden fruit dove is one of over 50 species in the group called Ptilinopus. It is most closely related to the orange fruit dove and whistling fruit dove. These three types of doves are sometimes grouped together because they are so similar. The golden fruit dove is the only bird of its kind, meaning it doesn't have any subspecies.
The name Ptilinopus comes from ancient Greek words meaning "feather" and "foot." The second part of its scientific name, luteovirens, comes from Latin words meaning "orange-yellow" and "green." These names describe the bird's unique colors.
Where Golden Fruit Doves Live
The golden fruit dove lives only on certain islands in Fiji. These islands include Viti Levu, Ovalau, Beqa, Ngau, and Waya.
These doves prefer to live in open forests and areas where new trees are growing. They can also be found in older rainforests that have fewer plants on the ground but many tall trees. You can find them at different heights, from about 60 meters (200 feet) to 1,200 meters (3,900 feet) above sea level. Sometimes, they are even seen close to towns and villages.
