Fruit dove profile
Orange-bellied fruit dove
Ptilinopus iozonus
Welcome to the profile of the Orange-bellied fruit dove (Ptilinopus iozonus). The documented natural range includes New Guinea, Raja-Ampat- and Aru Islands, Yapen. With a body length of 20-22 cm, this species belongs to the fruit doves of the Australasian region. 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…
Profile & short facts for Orange-bellied fruit dove
| English name | Orange-bellied fruit dove |
|---|---|
| German name | Orangebauch-Fruchttaube |
| Scientific name | Ptilinopus iozonus |
| Genus | Ptilinopus |
| Category | Ptilinopus - fruit doves |
| Distribution | New Guinea, Raja-Ampat- and Aru Islands, Yapen |
| Subspecies | 1. Ptilinopus iozonus iozonus – Aru Islands | 2. Ptilinopus iozonus humeralis – western New Guinea, Raja-Ampat-Islands | 3. Ptilinopus iozonus jobiensis – northern New Guinea, Yapen | 4. Ptilinopus iozonus pseudohumeralis – Gebiet des oberen Fly River (southern New Guinea | 5. Ptilinopus iozonus finschi – south-eastern New Guinea |
| Size / characteristics | 20-22 cm | External sexing is difficult. females show a weaker bronze sheen and more pronounced grey colouring on the chin |
| Status | small stock |
Habitat and natural range
lowland rainforests, swamp forests and wooded riparian zones.
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 iozonus iozonus – Aru Islands | 2. Ptilinopus iozonus humeralis – western New Guinea, Raja-Ampat-Islands | 3. Ptilinopus iozonus jobiensis – northern New Guinea, Yapen | 4. Ptilinopus iozonus pseudohumeralis – Gebiet des oberen Fly River (southern New Guinea | 5. Ptilinopus iozonus finschi – south-eastern New Guinea
Special notes on the species
Has a round, intense orange belly patch; extremely quick and agile in dense branches.
Conservation status
| IUCN | LC (Least Concern) |
|---|---|
| CITES | Not listed |
| EU species protection | Not listed |
Further sources
Images of the Orange-bellied fruit dove
Image credits
Orangebauch-Fruchttaube (© Johannes Pfleiderer)