Fruit dove profile

Papuan Mountain Pigeon (Gymnophaps albertisii)

Species at a glance

The Papuan Mountain Pigeon (Gymnophaps albertisii) is a robust mountain pigeon with a dark head, grey underparts and conspicuous red iris and orbital skin. It inhabits mountain forest in New Guinea, Yapen and the Bismarck Archipelago, with a separate subspecies on Bacan. The stock within the European Fruit Dove Project is still being developed, and breeding is considered challenging.

Distribution: Mountain regions of New Guinea including Yapen and the Bismarck Archipelago, and Bacan in the northern Moluccas.
Size / characteristics: about 33–36 cm | dark head, grey to slate underparts, dark upperparts, and red iris with bare red orbital skin | sexes externally similar
Status: Stock still being developed; breeding is not straightforward

Description

The Papuan Mountain Pigeon is adapted to forested mountain regions. It is characterised by a dark head, grey to slate-coloured body and a red iris with bare red orbital skin. Males and females are externally very similar. Outside the breeding season, the species may occur in large and conspicuous flocks and travel considerable distances between resting and feeding areas. Two subspecies are recognised. The project stock is not yet stable, so origin, pair formation and breeding results require close documentation.

Profile & short facts for Papuan Mountain Pigeon

English name	Papuan Mountain Pigeon
German name	Albertistaube
Scientific name	Gymnophaps albertisii
Genus	Gymnophaps
Category	Fruit doves of other genera
Distribution	Mountain regions of New Guinea including Yapen and the Bismarck Archipelago, and Bacan in the northern Moluccas.
Subspecies	Gymnophaps a. albertisii – New Guinea including Yapen and the Bismarck Archipelago \| Gymnophaps a. exsul – montane forest on Bacan in the northern Moluccas.
Size / characteristics	about 33–36 cm \| dark head, grey to slate underparts, dark upperparts, and red iris with bare red orbital skin \| sexes externally similar
Status	Stock still being developed; breeding is not straightforward

Habitat and natural range

Montane and cloud forest and other moist forest at middle to higher elevations; regionally descending to lower forest levels when feeding.

Feeding in the European Fruit Dove Project

The species feeds mainly on fruit and berries taken from trees and shrubs. In human care, a varied selection of suitable fruits should be combined with a balanced complementary food for frugivorous pigeons. In a small developing stock, food intake, body weight and condition should be documented regularly.

Husbandry in the European Fruit Dove Project

This robust and active species requires a spacious, well-structured and permanently frost-free aviary with open flight paths, stable elevated perches and protected resting areas. Its mountain-forest origin must not be interpreted as general tolerance of cold housing. Multiple feeding and escape sites help reduce disturbance and competition.

Breeding and offspring

Quiet, elevated and load-bearing nest sites with suitable twig material should be provided. As breeding is considered difficult within the project, pair formation, laying, hatching, rearing and possible disturbance factors should be recorded systematically. Unverified incubation or nestling periods are not generalised.

Subspecies and systematics

Gymnophaps a. albertisii – New Guinea including Yapen and the Bismarck Archipelago | Gymnophaps a. exsul – montane forest on Bacan in the northern Moluccas.

Special notes on the species

Outside the breeding season, the species may form large flocks. Fast and conspicuous flight displays above the forest are characteristic of its behaviour.

Conservation status

IUCN	Least Concern
CITES	Not listed
EU species protection	Not listed
Ring size	8,0 mm

Further sources

Images of the Papuan Mountain Pigeon

Image of Papuan Mountain Pigeon (Gymnophaps albertisii) — Albertis-Taube (© Vogelpark Walsrode)