Fruit dove profile
Green Imperial Pigeon – paulina subspecies (Ducula aenea paulina)
Species at a glance
Ducula aenea paulina is not a separate species but a recognised subspecies of the Green Imperial Pigeon. It occurs on Sulawesi and several neighbouring island groups and is distinguished by a warm chestnut to rufous nape. The stock within the European Fruit Dove Project is small.
- Distribution
- Sulawesi and associated island groups including Togian, Banggai and Sula.
- Size / characteristics
- about 40–47 cm | pale grey body, dark green to bronze-glossed upperparts and a distinctive chestnut to rufous nape | sexes externally similar
- Status
- Project stock small
Description
Ducula aenea paulina belongs to the Green Imperial Pigeon complex and is treated as a subspecies in current international checklists. Compared with many other subspecies, it shows a conspicuous warm chestnut to rufous nape. Males and females are externally very similar. Its range includes Sulawesi and island groups such as Togian, Banggai and Sula. Within the project, this subspecies must remain clearly separated from Green Imperial Pigeons of unresolved origin. The global IUCN category applies to Ducula aenea as a whole and is not a separate assessment of paulina.
Profile & short facts for Green Imperial Pigeon – paulina subspecies
| English name | Green Imperial Pigeon – paulina subspecies |
|---|---|
| German name | Rotnacken-Fruchttaube |
| Scientific name | Ducula aenea paulina |
| Genus | Ducula |
| Category | Ducula - imperial pigeons |
| Distribution | Sulawesi and associated island groups including Togian, Banggai and Sula. |
| Subspecies | Recognised subspecies of Ducula aenea; Ducula aenea paulina has no subspecies of its own. |
| Size / characteristics | about 40–47 cm | pale grey body, dark green to bronze-glossed upperparts and a distinctive chestnut to rufous nape | sexes externally similar |
| Status | Project stock small |
Habitat and natural range
Tropical lowland and hill forest, forest edges, mature secondary woodland and wooded cultivated landscapes on Sulawesi and neighbouring islands.
Feeding in the European Fruit Dove Project
Like the Green Imperial Pigeon, this subspecies feeds mainly on fruit and berries. In human care, a varied fruit ration should be combined with a balanced complementary food for frugivorous pigeons. Food intake, body weight and condition should be documented regularly.
Husbandry in the European Fruit Dove Project
This large and active subspecies requires a spacious, structured and permanently frost-free aviary with open flight paths, stable elevated perches and protected retreat areas. Conservation breeding requires clearly identified paulina birds to be managed separately from birds of unresolved origin.
Breeding and offspring
The clutch normally consists of a single egg. Quiet, elevated and load-bearing nest sites with sturdy twig material should be provided. In the small project stock, subspecies identity, origin, pair formation, pedigree, hatching and juvenile development must be recorded completely.
Subspecies and systematics
Recognised subspecies of Ducula aenea; Ducula aenea paulina has no subspecies of its own.
Special notes on the species
The chestnut to rufous nape is characteristic. Current world lists treat paulina as a subspecies of Ducula aenea rather than as a separate species.
Conservation status
| IUCN | Near Threatened |
|---|---|
| CITES | Not listed |
| EU species protection | Not listed |
| Ring size | 11,0 mm |
Further sources
Images of the Green Imperial Pigeon – paulina subspecies
Image credits
Rotnacken-Fruchttauben (© Thomas Müller)
