Skip to main content

Photo: RyanStudiesBirds / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Endangered

Polynesian Imperial Pigeon

Ducula aurorae

Polynesian Imperial Pigeon (Ducula aurorae) — Pigeons & Doves of Oceans & Seabirds.

The Polynesian Imperial Pigeon (Ducula aurorae) is a member of the Columbidae family found in Oceans & Seabirds. Adults weigh 507 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Endangered.

EN Endangered

Facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild.

Where it fits

  1. Class Aves
  2. Order Columbiformes
  3. Family Columbidae Pigeons, Doves
  4. Genus Ducula
  5. Species aurorae

Where it lives

Makatea (western Tuamotu Arch.) and formerly Society Is.

Quick facts

Weight
507 g
Family
Columbidae
Habitat
Woodland

How to identify

Similar birds

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Polynesian 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 Polynesian Imperial Pigeon is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

The Polynesian Imperial Pigeon (Ducula aurorae) is a member of the Columbidae family, within the order Columbiformes. It is found across Oceans & Seabirds. Its distribution covers PO Makatea (w Tuamotu Arch.) and formerly Society Is.

It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 507 g, with a wing length of about 23.4 cm and a tail of around 14.6 cm.

It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.

The species has a mapped global range of roughly 25 km² — a relatively restricted global range.

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Polynesian Imperial Pigeon?

The Polynesian Imperial Pigeon is a large bird that weighs around 507 g.

Where does the Polynesian Imperial Pigeon live?

The Polynesian Imperial Pigeon is found across Oceans & Seabirds with a range covering PO Makatea (w Tuamotu Arch.) and formerly Society Is, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.

What family does the Polynesian Imperial Pigeon belong to?

The Polynesian Imperial Pigeon (Ducula aurorae) belongs to the Columbidae family, in the order Columbiformes.

What does the Polynesian Imperial Pigeon eat?

The Polynesian Imperial Pigeon is a frugivore — it feeds mainly on fruit.

Does the Polynesian Imperial Pigeon migrate?

The Polynesian Imperial Pigeon is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

Is the Polynesian Imperial Pigeon endangered?

It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.

How large is the Polynesian Imperial Pigeon's range?

The Polynesian Imperial Pigeon has a mapped global range of about 25 km².

Conservation

Endangered

Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.

How to help birds

Explore more birds

More in Columbidae

More in Pigeons & Doves

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.

1 min read

Back to top