Black imperial pigeon

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"Bismarck imperial pigeon" redirects here. For Ducula subflavescens, see Yellowish imperial pigeon.

Black imperial pigeon

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Columbiformes
Family: Columbidae
Genus: Ducula
Species:
D. melanochroa
Binomial name
Ducula melanochroa
(Sclater, PL, 1878)
Synonyms[2]

The black imperial pigeon (Ducula melanochroa), also known as the Bismarck imperial pigeon, is a

undertail coverts
, the silvery-grey underside of the tail, and a pale grey scaly pattern on the wings and back. Both sexes look alike. Juveniles differ from adults in having paler undertail coverts.

The species feeds on fruit in the canopy, usually alone or in small flocks of up to 20 birds, but in flocks of up to 40 birds on fig trees. The only known nest was found on a mossy tree in January and had a single white egg. The pigeon is generally common in mountainous regions and is listed as being of least concern on the IUCN Red List due to its sufficiently large range and lack of sufficient declines in its populations.

Taxonomy and systematics

The black imperial pigeon was originally

Ducula.[4] The generic name Ducula is from "dukul", the Nepali name for imperial pigeons. The specific name melanochroa is from the Ancient Greek word melanokhrōs, meaning black-skinned.[5] Black imperial pigeon is the official common name designated by the International Ornithologists' Union.[6] Other common names for the species include Bismarck imperial pigeon and silver-laced imperial pigeon.[7][8]

The black imperial pigeon is one of over 40 species in the imperial pigeon genus Ducula in the pigeon

species group with the Pinon's, Louisiade, and collared imperial pigeons.[8] These four species were further thought to be most closely related to a group formed by the barking, chestnut-bellied, Vanuatu and goliath imperial pigeons.[7] A 2017 study of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA found the black imperial pigeon to be most closely related to the Vanuatu imperial pigeon, and that these two species were part of a clade (group of all the descendants of a common ancestor) that also included the silver-tipped, pied, barking, chestnut-bellied, Vanuatu, goliath, Pinon's, and collared imperial pigeons.[9]

Description

The black imperial pigeon is a large, heavily-built, long-tailed species for its genus, with a length of 38–43 cm (15–17 in) and a weight of 661–665 g (23.3–23.5 oz). It is almost entirely slaty-black, with a slight gloss to the feathers of the upper back and the

cere is mostly lacks feathers, giving the forehead a steeper appearance than related species such as Pinon's imperial pigeon. The iris is dark red and the feet are dark purplish-red. Both sexes look alike. Juveniles are similar to adults, but have paler chestnut on the undertail coverts.[7][8] Moulting is known to take place in November, December, and January.[4][10]

In flight, immature Nicobar pigeons may be confused with this species due to their all-black appearance, but the former have longer wings, a shorter tail, and an overall longer appearance, with a thinner neck.[7]

Vocalisations

The species is known to give three low-pitched booming notes, along with grunts and a

Umboi. A very deep, monotonic mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm has also been reported from New Ireland.[7][8]

Distribution and habitat

The black imperial pigeon is endemic to the

forest edge, partially logged forests, and lowland forest. It is found at elevations of 150–1,850 m (490–6,070 ft) on New Britain, from 300–700 m (980–2,300 ft) on Umboi, and from 700–1,800 m (2,300–5,900 ft) on New Ireland.[7][8]

On New Britain, its abundance in the lowlands varies seasonally, suggesting that it migrates altitudinally.[8] It is a vagrant on some small islands between New Ireland and New Britain, meaning that it may also migrate between the two islands.[7]

Behaviour and ecology

The black imperial pigeon is

frugivorous and has been observed feeding on fruit with diameters between 15–35 mm (0.59–1.38 in) and wild figs. Foraging occurs in the canopy and is most often done alone or in small flocks of up to 20 birds, although flocks with as many as 40 birds may be seen on Ficus trees. It is known to form flocks with white-bibbed fruit doves while foraging.[7][8]

The only known black imperial pigeon nest was found in January, at an elevation of 1,760 m (5,770 ft) on New Ireland, and had a diameter of 23 cm (9.1 in). It was made entirely out of twigs, with no material lining the surface, and was placed at a height of around 4 m (13 ft) between two branches on a mossy tree. It had a single white egg.[7][8]

Status

The black imperial pigeon is listed as being of

selective logging in forests on New Ireland, its population is thought to currently be declining due to habitat destruction.[11][8]

References

  1. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22691765A130180626.en
    . Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. doi:10.5962/bhl.title.152920 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library
    .
  3. OCLC 1779524 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library
    .
  4. ^
    ISSN 0950-7655 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library
    .
  5. ISBN 978-1-4081-2501-4
    .
  6. ^
    Rasmussen, Pamela, eds. (July 2023). "Pigeons"
    . IOC World Bird List Version 13.2. International Ornithologists' Union. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  7. ^
    OCLC 701718514
    .
  8. ^
    doi:10.2173/bow.biipig1.01
    . Retrieved 2023-10-22.
  9. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2017.02.016
    .
  10. ISSN 0950-7655 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library
    .
  11. ^
    doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22691765A130180626.en
    . Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  12. doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2007.08.023
    .
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