Photo: Joseph Smit / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Island Imperial Pigeon
Ducula pistrinaria
Island Imperial Pigeon (Ducula pistrinaria) — Pigeons & Doves of Australia & Oceania.
The Island Imperial Pigeon (Ducula pistrinaria) is a member of the Columbidae family found in Australia & Oceania. Adults weigh 515 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Columbiformes
- Family Columbidae Pigeons, Doves
- Genus Ducula
- Species pistrinaria
Where it lives
Islands northern, east of New Guinea to Bismarck Arch. and Solomon Is.
Quick facts
- Weight
- 515 g
- Diet
- Fruit-eaters
- Family
- Columbidae
- Order
- Columbiformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Near Threatened
Critically Endangered
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Island Imperial Pigeon is a frugivore — it feeds mainly on fruit.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open forest, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Island Imperial Pigeon is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Island Imperial Pigeon (Ducula pistrinaria) belongs to the Columbidae family of the order Columbiformes. Its range spans Australia & Oceania. Its distribution covers AU islands n, e of New Guinea to Bismarck Arch. and Solomon Is.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 515 g, with a wing length of about 24 cm and a tail of around 14.5 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 85,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Island Imperial Pigeon?
The Island Imperial Pigeon is a large bird that weighs around 515 g.
Where does the Island Imperial Pigeon live?
The Island Imperial Pigeon is found across Australia & Oceania with a range covering AU islands n, e of New Guinea to Bismarck Arch. and Solomon Is, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Island Imperial Pigeon belong to?
The Island Imperial Pigeon (Ducula pistrinaria) belongs to the Columbidae family, in the order Columbiformes.
What does the Island Imperial Pigeon eat?
The Island Imperial Pigeon is a frugivore — it feeds mainly on fruit.
Does the Island Imperial Pigeon migrate?
The Island Imperial Pigeon is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Island Imperial Pigeon endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Island Imperial Pigeon make?
1 real field recording of the Island Imperial Pigeon — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Island Imperial Pigeon's range?
The Island Imperial Pigeon has a mapped global range of about 85,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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Guides for this bird
Meet the Columbidae
A field guide to the Columbidae family — 352 species in the Birbs encyclopedia, with the best-known members to start with.