Fruit dove profile
Collared imperial pigeon
Ducula mullerii
Welcome to the profile of the Collared imperial pigeon (Ducula mullerii). The documented natural range includes western and southern New Guinea, Aru Islands and Torres Strait Islands. With a body length of 38-41 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…
Description
Welcome to the profile of the Collared imperial pigeon (Ducula mullerii). The documented natural range includes western and southern New Guinea, Aru Islands and Torres Strait Islands. With a body length of 38-41 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 to exchange knowledge and support the long-term conservation breeding of this species.
Profile & short facts for Collared imperial pigeon
| English name | Collared imperial pigeon |
|---|---|
| German name | Schwarzhals-Fruchttaube |
| Scientific name | Ducula mullerii |
| Genus | Ducula |
| Category | Ducula - imperial pigeons |
| Distribution | western and southern New Guinea, Aru Islands and Torres Strait Islands |
| Subspecies | 1. Ducula m. mullerii – western and southern New Guinea, Torres Strait Islands | 2. Ducula mullerii aurantia – Aru Islands |
| Size / characteristics | 38-41 cm | No reliable external sexing characters for male/female birds. |
| Status | very small stock |
Habitat and natural range
riverine swamp forests, seasonally flooded forests and mangroves.
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 m. mullerii – western and southern New Guinea, Torres Strait Islands | 2. Ducula mullerii aurantia – Aru Islands
Special notes on the species
Carries a striking deep black collar; inhabits almost exclusively the inaccessible, humid lowland swamp forests of New Guinea.
Conservation status
| IUCN | LC (Least Concern) |
|---|---|
| CITES | Not listed |
| EU species protection | Not listed |
Further sources
Images of the Collared imperial pigeon
Image credits
- Schwarzhals-Fruchttaube im Vogelpark Walsrode (© Johannes Pfleiderer)
- 1.1 Schwarzhals-Fruchttauben im Vogelpark Walsrode (© Johannes Pfleiderer)