Fruit dove profile
Green imperial pigeon
Ducula aenea
Welcome to the profile of the Green imperial pigeon (Ducula aenea). The documented natural range includes Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java, Lesser Sunda Islands, Borneo, Philippines. With a body length of 45 cm, this species belongs to Ducula – large imperial pigeons. Within the European Fruit Dove Project, the current status is recorded as: stock still being built up and very small. This page brings together distribution data, identification notes and…
Description
Welcome to the profile of the Green imperial pigeon (Ducula aenea). The documented natural range includes Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java, Lesser Sunda Islands, Borneo, Philippines. With a body length of 45 cm, this species belongs to Ducula – large imperial pigeons. Within the European Fruit Dove Project, the current status is recorded as: stock still being built up and very small. This page brings together distribution data, identification notes and practical husbandry experience, helping keepers and breeders to exchange knowledge and support the long-term conservation breeding of this species.
Profile & short facts for Green imperial pigeon
| English name | Green imperial pigeon |
|---|---|
| German name | Bronzefruchttaube |
| Scientific name | Ducula aenea |
| Genus | Ducula |
| Category | Ducula - imperial pigeons |
| Distribution | Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java, Lesser Sunda Islands, Borneo, Philippines |
| Size / characteristics | 45 cm | no reliable external sexing characters for male/female birds |
| Status | stock still being built up and very small |
Habitat and natural range
tropical lowland rainforests, mangroves, forest edges and semi-open cultivated landscapes.
Feeding in the European Fruit Dove Project
Strictly frugivorous. Feeds mainly on a wide range of fleshy forest fruits and wild berries (for example wild figs, nutmeg relatives and laurel fruits), which are swallowed whole. In human care: high-quality fruit-dove diet with fine pellets or granules low in iron, diced soft fruit such as papaya, melon, ripe pear and banana, plus berries.
Husbandry in the European Fruit Dove Project
Very large, active pigeon species. Requires generously sized aviaries with ample free flight space and high perches. As a tropical canopy bird, it must be kept frost-free; in winter a heated shelter, ideally not below 10–15 °C, is strongly recommended.
Breeding and offspring
Typical single-egg breeder; the clutch almost always consists of one egg. Incubation usually lasts about 24–26 days, with a nestling period of roughly 25–30 days. Requires very stable nesting platforms fixed high in the aviary and coarse nesting material such as strong twigs.
Special notes on the species
It is important not to mix these birds with Green imperial pigeons of confirmed provenance.
Conservation status
| IUCN | LC (Least Concern) |
|---|---|
| CITES | Not listed |
| EU species protection | Not listed |
Further sources
Images of the Green imperial pigeon
Image credits
- Bronzefruchttaube (© Vogelpark Walsrode)
- Bronzefruchttaube (© Johannes Pfleiderer)