Fruit dove profile
Lilac-capped fruit dove
Ptilinopus coronulatus
Welcome to the profile of the Lilac-capped fruit dove (Ptilinopus coronulatus). The documented natural range includes lowland areas New Guineas, Salawati, Yapen, Aru Islands. With a body length of 18-21 cm, this species belongs to the fruit doves of the Australasian region. 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…
Description
Welcome to the profile of the Lilac-capped fruit dove (Ptilinopus coronulatus). The documented natural range includes lowland areas New Guineas, Salawati, Yapen, Aru Islands. With a body length of 18-21 cm, this species belongs to the fruit doves of the Australasian region. 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 exchange knowledge and support the long-term conservation breeding of this species.
Profile & short facts for Lilac-capped fruit dove
| English name | Lilac-capped fruit dove |
|---|---|
| German name | Veilchenkappen-Fruchttaube |
| Scientific name | Ptilinopus coronulatus |
| Genus | Ptilinopus |
| Category | Ptilinopus - fruit doves |
| Distribution | lowland areas New Guineas, Salawati, Yapen, Aru Islands |
| Subspecies | 1. Ptilinopus coronulatus coronulatus – southern New Guinea, Aru Islands | 2. Ptilinopus coronulatus trigeminus – western Vogelkop Peninsula, Salawati | 3. Ptilinopus coronulatus geminus – north-western New Guinea, Yapen | 4. Ptilinopus coronulatus quadrigeminus – northern New Guinea | 5. Ptilinopus coronulatus huonensis – north-eastern New Guinea |
| Size / characteristics | 18-21 cm | No useful external sexing characters for male/female birds; the yellow plumage areas are often paler in females. | Husbandry: | Ring size: 5,0-5,5 |
| Status | stock currently stable within the project |
Habitat and natural range
lowland wet forests, dense Buschlandschaften and secondary habitats.
Feeding in the European Fruit Dove Project
Frugivorous. Specialised in small forest berries and figs typical of fruit doves. In human care: fine fruit-dove granules, mixed berries such as elderberries and currants, and finely diced sweet fruit.
Husbandry in the European Fruit Dove Project
Small to medium-sized, highly colourful aviary species. Needs a well-structured, planted aviary with fine branches. Because these are tropical birds, year-round husbandry at minimum temperatures of about 18–20 °C in a heated shelter is recommended.
Breeding and offspring
Breeding is considered demanding. Pairs require quiet conditions and can react sensitively to nest checks. The clutch usually consists of a single egg; incubation is about 18–20 days. Offer fine twigs and coconut fibres as nesting material.
Subspecies and systematics
- Ptilinopus coronulatus coronulatus – southern New Guinea, Aru Islands | 2. Ptilinopus coronulatus trigeminus – western Vogelkop Peninsula, Salawati | 3. Ptilinopus coronulatus geminus – north-western New Guinea, Yapen | 4. Ptilinopus coronulatus quadrigeminus – northern New Guinea | 5. Ptilinopus coronulatus huonensis – north-eastern New Guinea
Special notes on the species
Carries the namesake violet-pink crown; often forms feeding associations with other Ptilinopus species.
Conservation status
| IUCN | LC (Least Concern) |
|---|---|
| CITES | Not listed |
| EU species protection | Not listed |
Further sources
Images of the Lilac-capped fruit dove
Image credits
Veilchenkappen-Fruchttaube im Zoo Berlin (© Johannes Pfleiderer)