Fruit dove profile
Ornate fruit dove
Ptilinopus ornatus
Welcome to the profile of the Ornate fruit dove (Ptilinopus ornatus). The documented natural range includes New Guinea. With a body length of 25 cm, this species belongs to the fruit doves of the Australasian region. Within the European Fruit Dove Project, the current status is recorded as: currently not represented in the project stock; the last known European specimen died in 2009. This page brings together distribution data, identification…
Description
Welcome to the profile of the Ornate fruit dove (Ptilinopus ornatus). The documented natural range includes New Guinea. With a body length of 25 cm, this species belongs to the fruit doves of the Australasian region. Within the European Fruit Dove Project, the current status is recorded as: currently not represented in the project stock; the last known European specimen died in 2009. 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 Ornate fruit dove
| English name | Ornate fruit dove |
|---|---|
| German name | Schmuckfruchttaube |
| Scientific name | Ptilinopus ornatus |
| Genus | Ptilinopus |
| Category | Ptilinopus - fruit doves |
| Distribution | New Guinea |
| Subspecies | 1. Ptilinopus o. ornatus – north-western New Guinea | 2. Ptilinopus ornatus gestroi – central and eastern New Guinea |
| Size / characteristics | 25 cm | No reliable external sexing characters for male/female birds. |
| Status | currently not represented in the project stock; the last known European specimen died in 2009 |
Habitat and natural range
Subtropical and tropical mountain forests as well as humid cloud forests.
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 o. ornatus – north-western New Guinea | 2. Ptilinopus ornatus gestroi – central and eastern New Guinea
Special notes on the species
Shows two conspicuous grey-blue patch bands on the wing coverts; very secretive in the dense canopy.
Conservation status
| IUCN | LC (Least Concern) |
|---|---|
| CITES | Not listed |
| EU species protection | Not listed |
Further sources
Images of the Ornate fruit dove
Image credits
Schmuckfruchttaube - Unterart gestroi - im Zoo Pilsen (© Johannes Pfleiderer)