Kingdom Animalia Order Columbiformes Genus Ducula Higher classification Imperial pigeon | Phylum Chordata Family Columbidae Scientific name Ducula whartoni Rank Species | |
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Similar Imperial pigeon, Bird, Pigeons and doves, Island imperial pigeon, Chestnut‑bellied imperial pigeon | ||
The Christmas imperial pigeon, (Ducula whartoni), is a large (39 cm in length, 450-700 g in weight) pigeon, mainly dark grey in colour with an iridescent sheen.
Contents
Distribution and habitat
The species is endemic to Christmas Island in the eastern Indian Ocean. It inhabits rainforest and secondary growth with fruiting trees.
Diet
Fruit from forest trees with occasional buds and leaves.
Breeding
It builds a platform nest of twigs high in a forest tree.
Voice
It utters a deep booming call.
Conservation
The Christmas imperial pigeon was classified as "vulnerable" because of its small population and restricted distribution until 2012, when it was downgraded to near threatened". Threats include illegal hunting and predation by introduced yellow crazy ants Anoplolepis gracilipes.
References
Christmas imperial pigeon Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA