Christmas Island Imperial-pigeon
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| Christmas Island Imperial Pigeon | ||||||||||||||
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| Ducula whartoni (Sharpe, 1887) |
The Christmas Island 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.
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[edit] Distribution and habitat
The species is endemic to Christmas Island in the eastern Indian Ocean. It inhabits rainforest and secondary growth with fruiting trees.
[edit] Behaviour
[edit] Diet
Fruit from forest trees with occasional buds and leaves.
[edit] Breeding
It builds a platform nest of twigs high in a forest tree.
[edit] Voice
It utters a deep booming call.
[edit] Conservation
The Christmas Island Imperial-pigeon is classified as Vulnerable because of its small population and restricted distribution. Threats include illegal hunting and predation by introduced Yellow Crazy Ants Anoplolepis gracilipes.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- BirdLife International (2006) Species factsheet: Ducula whartoni. Accessed 24/1/2007
- Higgins, P.J.; & Davies, S.J.J.F. (Eds.). (1996). Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Volume 3. Snipe to Pigeons. Oxford University Press: Melbourne. ISBN 0-19-553070-5
[edit] External links
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