Green imperial pigeon (Ducula aenea) complete detail. Description of Green imperial pigeon – Ducula aenea. Classification of Green imperial pigeon. Habit and habitat of Green imperial pigeon. They prefer evergreen forest areas, wooded habitats and primary and secondary forests up to 1000 meter. They also found in mangrove areas and open country with scattered trees. They forage in flocks. In the early morning they are often seen on the tops of emergent trees in dense forest areas. At the time of resting, they often perches on the highest branches of a tall tree in pairs or small groups………….
Green imperial pigeon is a beautiful and large arboreal bird. Size of adult Green imperial pigeon is between 40 to 47 cm, and the weight of adult is between 350 to 650 g. The color of upperparts and upper tail id metallic green. The under tail coverts are maroon or chestnut in color. The bill is shout, strong and paler grey or bluish grey in color.
The color of upper neck is chestnut or light and dark brown. They have short and strong legs and feet, color of legs is pinkish red. The eyes are deep red in color. Males and females look alike, females slightly duller than males. Young’s are duller than adults. Flight of Green imperial pigeon is fast and direct, with the regular beats and an occasional sharp flick of the wings………..
Nesting and breeding season is between December to June (Mainly April and May). Nest is a relatively slight platform of twigs in a tree or shrub. The nest is built by both sexes. During this period, they performs a beautiful aerial display, rising with strong wing-beats, stalling a brief moment with wings flexed before diving down again and flying normally.
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Distinctive Identification
Green imperial pigeon is a Schedule – IV bird, according to wildlife (Protection) act, 1972 and classified as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.
Green imperial pigeon is a beautiful and large arboreal bird. Size of adult Green imperial pigeon is between 40 to 47 cm, and the weight of adult is between 350 to 650 g.
The color of upperparts and upper tail id metallic green. The primary and outer secondary flight feathers and the rectrices are light grey with slight greenish gloss.
The head and underparts are white or light pale grey or dirty white in color. Some white feathers are present around eye and at base of bill.
The under tail coverts are maroon or chestnut in color. The bill is shout, strong and paler grey or bluish grey in color. The color of upper neck is chestnut or light and dark brown.
They have short and strong legs and feet, color of legs is pinkish red. The eyes are deep red in color. Males and females look alike, females slightly duller than males. Young’s are duller than adults.
Classification
Common Name – Green imperial pigeon
Local Name – Bada harial
Zoological Name – Ducula aenea
Kingdom – Animalia
Phylum – Chordata
Class – Aves
Order – Columbiformes
Family – Columbidae
Genus – Ducula
Conservational Status – Schedule – IV, according to wildlife (Protection) act, 1972 and classified as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.
Distribution
They found in tropical southern Asia, from India east to Indonesia. In India, they found in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa, Maharashtra, Tripura and Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh. They also found in the Western Ghats from Kanyakumari to Bombay and in the islands of Andaman and Nicobar.
Habit and habitat
They prefer evergreen forest areas, wooded habitats and primary and secondary forests up to 1000 meter. They also found in mangrove areas and open country with scattered trees.
They found alone, in pairs or in small groups, sometime found in large groups. They are not very gregarious.
They forages mainly in the upper canopy. It may come to the ground, first for drinking, and then, to lick salt-soils.
They forage in flocks. In the early morning they are often seen on the tops of emergent trees in dense forest areas. At the time of resting, they often perches on the highest branches of a tall tree in pairs or small groups.
Flight of Green imperial pigeon is fast and direct, with the regular beats and an occasional sharp flick of the wings.
Green imperial pigeon is a primary consumer. They feed on various types of fruits, berries, grains, and plant material.
Call – “koo koooo” or “curr-hoo” or “wuck-wuck-woor” or “wuck-woor-woor-woor-woor” or wuck … woor…woor…woor.
Nesting and breeding season is between December to June (Mainly April and May). Nest is a relatively slight platform of twigs in a tree or shrub. The nest is built by both sexes.
Click here to view State wise list of Indian state animals (symbols) – updated
During this period, they performs a beautiful aerial display, rising with strong wing-beats, stalling a brief moment with wings flexed before diving down again and flying normally.
Females lays a single whit egg, sometime 2 eggs. Incubation period is between 15 to 19 days. Both the sexes share parental duties.
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