9-6-2023 MANDAI BIRD PARADISE, SINGAPORE - GREEN IMPERIAL PIGEON (Ducula aenea)

The green imperial pigeon (Ducula aenea) is a large forest pigeon. The large range extends from Nepal, southern India and Sri Lanka eastwards to southern China, Indonesia and the Philippines.

This is a forest species which is a widespread resident breeding bird in tropical southern Asia from Nepal and India east to Indonesia. It has several subspecies, including the distinctive Celebes form, chestnut-naped imperial pigeon (Ducula aenea paulina).

24-10-2021 ATTICA ZOO ATHENS, GREECE - GREEN IMPERIAL PIGEON (Ducula aenea)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/3211-Ducula-aenea

3-1-2016 HONG KONG - GREEN IMPERIAL PIGEON (Ducula aenea)

4-12-2015 JURONG, SINGAPORE - GREEN IMPERIAL PIGEON (Ducula aenea)

The adult male of nominate race has iridescent green upperparts tinged bluish or bronzy. The primary and outer secondary flight feathers and the rectrices are grey with slight greenish gloss.

Head and neck, upper mantle, breast and belly are pale pinkish-grey. The undertail-coverts are dark chestnut.

On the grey head, we can see some white feathers around the eyes and at bill base.

The bill is bluish-grey. The eyes are deep red. Legs and feet are reddish.

Both sexes are similar with the female slightly duller than male.

The juvenile is duller than adults, with less pink on head and underparts.

The Green Imperial-Pigeon is a vocal species. It utters single deep, loud “oom” while lowering the head, and a growling “kr-r-r-r-r”. The most often heard is a deep disyllabic “curr-hoo” or “koo koooo”. Actually, all these sounds are variations of the same call according to the situation.

The birds of Sulawesi utter a questioning “woohoo woo”, whereas in India, they give longer call, a deep, resonant “wuck-wuck-woor” or “wuck-woor-woor-woor-woor”. 

The Green Imperial-Pigeon is a forested species. It frequents both primary and secondary forests, mangroves and also open country with scattered trees.

This species usually occurs in lowlands, but in India, it can be seen up to 300-600 metres of elevation, and in Sulawesi Islands, up to 1000 metres.

The Green Imperial-Pigeon is found in tropical southern Asia, from India E to Indonesia.

The Green Imperial-Pigeon is frugivorous, eating numerous fruits and berries. Those from Ficus and Myristica are greatly appreciated.

It is usually seen alone, in pairs or in small groups of 3-5 birds. But occasionally, flocks of up to 60 birds can be seen at fruiting trees and at roost.

The Green Imperial-Pigeon uses nighttimes’ roosts in some areas, and year after year, the same roosts are occupied, and the same routes are used to reach them.

This arboreal pigeon forages mainly in the upper canopy, plucking small and large fruits from the branches. It is not aggressive towards other pigeons when feeding. It may come to the ground, first for drinking, and then, to lick salt-soils.

26-11-2015 JURONG, SINGAPORE - GREEN IMPERIAL PIGEON (Ducula aenea)

The green imperial pigeon (Ducula aenea) is a large forest pigeon. The large range extends from Nepal, southern India and Sri Lanka eastwards to southern China, Indonesia and the Philippines.

The green imperial pigeon is a large, plump pigeon, 45 centimetres (18 in) in length. Its back, wings and tail are metallic green. The head and underparts are white, apart from maroon undertail coverts. Sexes are similar. The bird's call is deep and resonant, and is often the first indication of the presence of this treetop species.

This is a forest species which is a widespread resident breeding bird in tropical southern Asia from Nepal and India east to Indonesia. It has several subspecies, including the distinctive Celebes form, chestnut-naped imperial pigeon (Ducula aenea paulina).

This is an arboreal dove, feeding on plant material in the tree canopy. 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. It builds a stick nest in a tree and lays a single white egg. The birds are not very gregarious, but will form small flocks.

Stately large pigeon, predominantly pearl gray with deep green wings and back. Birds of Sulawesi and the north Philippines have a gingery-orange nape patch. Inhabits forested areas from the lowlands up into the foothills, including edge areas and second growth near human habitation. Very vocal, with a wide repertoire: most common call is a throaty “rrruh-RUOOHH,” but various extended or pitch-altered versions of it are given as well.

This is an arboreal dove, feeding on plant material in the tree canopy. 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. It builds a stick nest in a tree and lays a single white egg. The birds are not very gregarious, but will form small flocks.

3-1-2016 HONG KONG - GREEN IMPERIAL PIGEON (Ducula aenea)