European Fruit Dove Project
Since 2007, the European Fruit Dove Project has connected private keepers, zoos and bird parks. Together they preserve specialist knowledge, encourage exchange and strengthen responsibly managed breeding lines.
Latest news
- Autumn Meeting 2025 at Cologne ZooThe European Fruit-Dove Project met on 25 October 2025 at the zoo school of Cologne Zoo.
Conserving and responsibly breeding fruit doves
The European Fruit Dove Project connects people involved in keeping, breeding and conserving fruit doves. These birds fascinate through their exceptional colours, calm nature and special adaptation to tropical habitats. Their vivid plumage often makes them look unlike typical pigeons.
Many fruit-dove species face increasing pressure in their natural ranges as tropical forests and other important habitats disappear. Responsibly managed populations held by committed private keepers, zoos and bird parks are therefore becoming more important. They preserve valuable experience and expertise while helping maintain genetically diverse breeding lines over the long term.
The project also brings species profiles, stock reports, breeding results, price recommendations and project contacts together in one place. This creates a professional overview that supports the exchange of birds, experience and contacts and helps keepers and zoological institutions plan their cooperation more effectively.
Fruit-dove species profiles
Multilingual information on taxonomy, distribution, characteristics, nutrition and husbandry.
Stocks & breeding results
Stock and breeding reports provide an overview of birds, breeding success and possible pairings.
Network & exchange
Project contacts, regular meetings and the protected members area support cooperation.
Objectives of the European Fruit Dove Project
The project strengthens fruit-dove husbandry and breeding through cooperation, professional exchange and centralised record keeping. Four key tasks are at its core.
Sharing husbandry and breeding experience
Participants share experience of husbandry, feeding, accommodation and breeding. This helps them use existing knowledge more effectively and develop new insights together.
Coordinating stocks and breeding
Central stock and breeding reports provide a clearer overview of available birds, possible pairings and offspring. The project therefore supports long-term planning and stable breeding lines.
Organising bird exchanges responsibly
Offspring and surplus fruit doves can first be offered within the project network. This allows birds to be placed more purposefully and existing breeding groups to be complemented responsibly.
Connecting keepers, zoos and bird parks
The network connects experienced keepers, new enthusiasts, zoos and bird parks. It creates new contacts and makes it easier to find knowledgeable people for particular species and genera.
Breeders, zoos and bird parks in the network
In spring 2007, committed breeders, zoos and bird parks founded the European Fruit Dove Project at Vogelpark Walsrode. Their shared aim was to support the long-term keeping and breeding of the genera Ptilinopus, Ducula, Treron, Alectroenas, Gymnophaps and Phapitreron.
Initially, the project was part of the Wild Pigeon working group within the Association for Species Conservation, Bird Keeping and Aviculture (AZ). The European Fruit Dove Project now operates as an independent interest group, while retaining its original purpose: sharing knowledge, building contacts and developing fruit-dove populations together.
Cooperation between scientifically managed zoological institutions and experienced private keepers is especially important. Zoos contribute scientific knowledge, professional infrastructure and international contacts. Private breeders add long-term observations, intensive animal care and practical breeding experience. Both sides benefit from this exchange.
Regular project meetings also provide established opportunities for specialist talks, personal discussion and responsible bird exchange. New contacts are created while existing cooperation continues to grow.
Partner zoos and bird parks
The project benefits from cooperation with zoological institutions, bird parks and committed partners. Together they combine experience, maintain contacts and support the long-term conservation of fruit-dove populations.
Discover fruit-dove species profiles
The multilingual fruit-dove species profiles contain information on taxonomy, distribution, characteristics, husbandry, nutrition and breeding. They provide keepers, zoos and enthusiasts with a shared professional basis and are continuously expanded and updated.
Fruit-dove genera at a glance
Fruit doves usually have a compact build, a short strong bill, sturdy feet and relatively short tail feathers. Their often intensely coloured plumage is particularly striking.
The European Fruit Dove Project focuses particularly on the following genera:
- Ptilinopus – small to medium-sized fruit doves, often exceptionally colourful.
- Ducula – generally larger fruit doves, also known as imperial pigeons.
- Treron – predominantly green pigeons, superbly adapted to life in the forest canopy.
- Alectroenas – distinctive island species from the western Indian Ocean.
- Gymnophaps – mountain pigeons from Southeast Asia and Australasia.
- Phapitreron – brown fruit doves found mainly in the Philippines.
Contacts in the Fruit Dove Project
The European Fruit Dove Project is supported by a network of committed contacts. The project leadership and coordinators encourage professional exchange, maintain contacts and promote national and international cooperation relating to fruit doves.
