Fruit dove profile
Mountain imperial pigeon
Ducula badia
Welcome to the profile of the Mountain imperial pigeon (Ducula badia). The documented natural range includes India to southern China and western Java. With a body length of 43-51 cm, this species belongs to Ducula – large imperial pigeons. Within the European Fruit Dove Project, the current status is recorded as: very small stock. This page brings together distribution data, identification notes and practical husbandry experience, helping keepers and breeders…
Profile & short facts for Mountain imperial pigeon
| English name | Mountain imperial pigeon |
|---|---|
| German name | Fahlbauch-Fruchttaube |
| Scientific name | Ducula badia |
| Genus | Ducula |
| Category | Ducula - imperial pigeons |
| Distribution | India to southern China and western Java |
| Subspecies | 1. Ducula b. badia – southern Tenasserim to Borneo and western Java | 2. Ducula badia cuprea – Western Ghats/India | 3. Ducula badia griseicapilla – Myanmar and Thailand to northern Tenasserim, Vietnam and southern China | 4. Ducula badia insignis – western Nepal to Meghalaya, India |
| Size / characteristics | 43-51 cm | No reliable external sexing characters for male/female birds. |
| Status | very small stock |
Habitat and natural range
foothill and montane forests, mostly at elevations from 500 to over 2,000 metres.
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.
Subspecies and systematics
- Ducula b. badia – southern Tenasserim to Borneo and western Java | 2. Ducula badia cuprea – Western Ghats/India | 3. Ducula badia griseicapilla – Myanmar and Thailand to northern Tenasserim, Vietnam and southern China | 4. Ducula badia insignis – western Nepal to Meghalaya, India
Special notes on the species
The largest Asian imperial pigeon; has an extremely expandable throat that allows it to swallow nutmegs whole, including the hard shell.
Conservation status
| IUCN | LC (Least Concern) |
|---|---|
| CITES | Not listed |
| EU species protection | Not listed |
Further sources
Images of the Mountain imperial pigeon
Image credits
Fahlbauch-Fruchttauben (© Arie Kooyman)