Fruit dove profile
Celebes pied imperial pigeon
Ducula luctuosa
Welcome to the profile of the Celebes pied imperial pigeon (Ducula luctuosa). The documented natural range includes Sulawesi, Moluccas. With a body length of 37-48 cm, this species belongs to Ducula – large imperial pigeons. Within the European Fruit Dove Project, the current status is recorded as: stock currently stable within the project. This page brings together distribution data, identification notes and practical husbandry experience, helping keepers and breeders to…
Profile & short facts for Celebes pied imperial pigeon
| English name | Celebes pied imperial pigeon |
|---|---|
| German name | Elsterfruchttaube |
| Scientific name | Ducula luctuosa |
| Genus | Ducula |
| Category | Ducula - imperial pigeons |
| Distribution | Sulawesi, Moluccas |
| Subspecies | none |
| Size / characteristics | 37-48 cm | No reliable external sexing characters for male/female birds. |
| Status | stock currently stable within the project |
Habitat and natural range
open woodland, secondary forests, mangroves and agricultural land.
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
none
Special notes on the species
Very closely related evolutionarily to the Pied imperial pigeon, but differs in its silver-grey rather than pure white plumage areas.
Conservation status
| IUCN | LC (Least Concern) |
|---|---|
| CITES | Not listed |
| EU species protection | Not listed |
Further sources
Images of the Celebes pied imperial pigeon
Image credits
- Elsterfruchttaube im Zoo Berlin (© Johannes Pfleiderer)
- Charakteristische Färbung der Schwungfedern der Elsterfruchttaube - hellgrau mit dunkler Umrandung (© Johannes Pfleiderer)
- Elsterfruchttaube Kopfansicht (© Johannes Pfleiderer)
- Elsterfruchttaube (© Johannes Pfleiderer)
- Unterschwanzdecken der Elsterfruchttaube (© Johannes Pfleiderer)
- Vergleich Elster- (hinten) und Kaiserfruchttaube (vorne) (© Johannes Pfleiderer)
- Vergleich Elster- (links) und Kaiserfruchttaube (rechts) (© Johannes Pfleiderer)
- Vergleich der Unterschwanzdecken von Elster- (links) und Kaiserfruchttaube (rechts) (© Johannes Pfleiderer)