Nuku Hiva Imperial-Pigeon
NameNuku Hiva Imperial-Pigeon
Common NameNuku Hiva Imperial-Pigeon
Scientific NameDucula galeata
FamilyColumbidae
Wingspan (cm)75
Length (cm)53.5
Weight (g)750
Plumage DetailsThe head and upper neck are pale grey to whitish, contrasting sharply with the dark, iridescent green-blue plumage of the back, wings, and tail. The breast and belly are also dark, often with a purplish sheen. It has a distinctive pale, almost white bill with a dark tip, and pale, often whitish or greyish-white eyes.
Vocalization / CallIts vocalizations consist of deep, booming coos, typical of large imperial-pigeons, often described as a resonant 'whoo-whoo-whoo' or 'oom-oom-oom'.
Primary Dietfrugivore
Primary Habitatsforest
Conservation Statuscritically-endangered
Geographic RangeEndemic to Nuku Hiva island in the Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia.
Identifying FeaturesLarge body size, Pale grey/whitish head and neck, Dark iridescent green-blue body plumage, Pale bill with dark tip, Pale eyes
Description
This large, robust pigeon is endemic to Nuku Hiva, characterized by its striking pale head and dark, iridescent body. It is an arboreal species, typically found foraging for large fruits within the canopy of humid forests.
