Fruit dove profile
Pinon imperial pigeon
Ducula pinon
Welcome to the profile of the Pinon imperial pigeon (Ducula pinon). The documented natural range includes New Guinea, offshore islands. With a body length of 44-48 cm, this species belongs to Ducula – large imperial pigeons. Within the European Fruit Dove Project, the current status is recorded as: small stock. This page brings together distribution data, identification notes and practical husbandry experience, helping keepers and breeders to exchange knowledge and…
Profile & short facts for Pinon imperial pigeon
| English name | Pinon imperial pigeon |
|---|---|
| German name | Rotaugen-Fruchttaube |
| Scientific name | Ducula pinon |
| Genus | Ducula |
| Category | Ducula - imperial pigeons |
| Distribution | New Guinea, offshore islands |
| Subspecies | 1. Ducula p. pinon – western New Guinea, Raja-Ampat-Islands, Aru Islands | 2. Ducula pinon jobiensis – northern New Guinea, Yapen, Manam, Karkar, Bagabag | 3. Ducula pinon rubiensis – central to eastern southern New Guinea | 4. Ducula pinon salvadorii – D’Entrecasteaux Islands and Louisiade Archipelago off south-eastern New Guinea |
| Size / characteristics | 44-48 cm | No reliable external sexing characters for male/female birds. |
| Status | small stock |
Habitat and natural range
lowland rainforests, swamp forests, forest edges and dense secondary forests.
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. pinon – western New Guinea, Raja-Ampat-Islands, Aru Islands | 2. Ducula pinon jobiensis – northern New Guinea, Yapen, Manam, Karkar, Bagabag | 3. Ducula pinon rubiensis – central to eastern southern New Guinea | 4. Ducula pinon salvadorii – D’Entrecasteaux Islands and Louisiade Archipelago off south-eastern New Guinea
Special notes on the species
Has an unmistakable bright red patch around the eye; the largest fruit dove of New Guinea.
Conservation status
| IUCN | NT (Potenziell gefährdet) |
|---|---|
| CITES | Not listed |
| EU species protection | Not listed |
Further sources
Images of the Pinon imperial pigeon
Image credits
- Rotaugen-Fruchttauben (© Johannes Pfleiderer)
- Rotaugen-Fruchttaube im Vogelpark Walsrode (© Johannes Pfleiderer)