Fruit dove profile
Pickering's imperial pigeon
Ducula pickeringii
Welcome to the profile of the Pickering's imperial pigeon (Ducula pickeringii). The documented natural range includes mehrere small Islandgruppen zwischen Borneo, Sulawesi and den Philippines. With a body length of 40 cm, this species belongs to Ducula – large imperial pigeons. Within the European Fruit Dove Project, the current status is recorded as: currently not represented in the project stock. This page brings together distribution data, identification notes and practical…
Description
Welcome to the profile of the Pickering's imperial pigeon (Ducula pickeringii). The documented natural range includes mehrere small Islandgruppen zwischen Borneo, Sulawesi and den Philippines. With a body length of 40 cm, this species belongs to Ducula – large imperial pigeons. Within the European Fruit Dove Project, the current status is recorded as: currently not represented in the project 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 Pickering's imperial pigeon
| English name | Pickering's imperial pigeon |
|---|---|
| German name | Pickeringfruchttaube |
| Scientific name | Ducula pickeringii |
| Genus | Ducula |
| Category | Ducula - imperial pigeons |
| Distribution | mehrere small Islandgruppen zwischen Borneo, Sulawesi and den Philippines |
| Subspecies | 1. Ducula p. pickeringii – Islands in der Sulu-See zwischen Borneo and den Philippines | 2. Ducula pickeringii langhornei – zentrale Sulu-Islands (Bolod, Loran) | 3. Ducula pickeringii palmasensis – Miangas- and Talaud-Islands |
| Size / characteristics | 40 cm | No reliable external sexing characters for male/female birds. |
| Status | currently not represented in the project stock |
Habitat and natural range
dry and humid forests on small isolated oceanic islands.
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 p. pickeringii – Islands in der Sulu-See zwischen Borneo and den Philippines | 2. Ducula pickeringii langhornei – zentrale Sulu-Islands (Bolod, Loran) | 3. Ducula pickeringii palmasensis – Miangas- and Talaud-Islands
Special notes on the species
An extremely rare specialist of small offshore coral islands; sensitive to habitat changes.
Conservation status
| IUCN | LC (Least Concern) |
|---|---|
| CITES | Not listed |
| EU species protection | Not listed |
Further sources
Images of the Pickering's imperial pigeon
Image credits
Pickeringfruchttaube im Zoo San Diego (© Johannes Pfleiderer)