Brown-bellied fruit pigeon

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Brown-bellied fruit pigeon
Systematics
Class : Birds (aves)
Order : Pigeon birds (Columbiformes)
Family : Pigeons (Columbidae)
Genre : Large fruit pigeons ( Ducula )
Type : Brown-bellied fruit pigeon
Scientific name
Ducula brenchleyi
( Gray , 1870)

The brown-bellied fruit pigeon ( Ducula brenchleyi ) is a species of pigeon birds. It occurs exclusively in the Solomon Islands . The IUCN classifies this species as endangered ( vulnerable ). The range of the brown-bellied fruit pigeon is large, but because of its specific nutritional requirements and nomadic way of life, it is exposed to great hunting pressure. In their area of ​​distribution there is also a large amount of logging. This reduces the number of fruiting trees that are essential for the nutrition of this species of pigeon. The information on the population, estimated at fewer than 2,500 individuals overall, suggests that population numbers are falling rapidly.

Appearance

The brown-bellied fruit pigeon reaches a body size of up to 38 centimeters. In its appearance it is very similar to the Peales fruit dove . There is no gender dimorphism.

The head of the brown-bellied fruit pigeon is silver-gray. The throat and face are reddish. The rear neck is dark blue-gray. The back, the wings and the central tail feathers are dark gray and shimmering silvery. The upper breast is reddish, towards the lower breast this turns into a dark chestnut brown. The beak is dark gray. The iris and feet are dark red.

distribution and habitat

The brown-bellied fruit pigeon is an endemic species of the Solomon Islands and occurs there on the islands of Guadalcanal , Malaita , Makira and the smaller islands of Ugi, Ulawa and Malaupaina. It was still common on Makira, Ugi and Ulawa in the 1950s. However, it may have become extinct on the latter two islands.

The habitat of the brown-bellied fruit pigeon are evergreen rainforests. In the coastal areas it also uses secondary forests. Overall, however, it shows a preference for primary forests with a tightly closed treetop zone. The height distribution ranges from the lowlands to heights of 700 meters.

Way of life

The brown-bellied fruit pigeon is a species that mainly lives in small flocks. However, it is occasionally observed singly or in pairs. On abundant fruit-bearing trees, it is occasionally associated with gray fruit pigeons. It seems to be a nomadic species, as the population varies greatly locally. Its food spectrum mainly includes fruits that it picks directly from the branches. Nothing is known about the breeding biology.

supporting documents

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ BirdLife Factsheet , accessed July 1, 2009
  2. ^ Gibbs, p. 556
  3. ↑ Rösler, p. 302
  4. ^ Gibbs, p. 556

literature

  • David Gibbs, Eustace Barnes and John Cox: Pigeons and Doves - A Guide to the Pigeons and Doves of the World . Pica Press, Sussex 2001, ISBN 90-74345-26-3 .
  • Alois Münst and Josef Wolters: Tauben - The species of wild pigeons , 2nd expanded and revised edition, Verlag Karin Wolters, Bottrop 1999, ISBN 3-9801504-9-6 .
  • Gerhard Rösler: The wild pigeons of the earth - free living, keeping and breeding . Verlag M. & H. Schaper, Alfeld Hannover 1996, ISBN 3-7944-0184-0 .

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