Christmas Island Imperial-Pigeon (Ducula whartoni)

Other Names (World)
Christmas Imperial-Pigeon, Christmas Island Imperial-Pigeon, Christmas Island Pigeon, Christmas Pigeon, Black Imperial-Pigeon, Black Pigeon, Dusky Imperial-Pigeon, Dusky Pigeon, Christmas Imperial Pigeon

Family
Columbidae (Pigeons, Doves)

Size
38 - 40 cm

First Described (Guide)
(Sharpe, 1887)

Derivation
Du'-cu-la - N.L., ducula, a little duke - (from L.,dux, ducis, a leader - c.f. English duke): whartoni - Rear-Admiral Sir William James Lloyd Wharton (1843 - 1905), British hydrographer in the Indian Ocean, 1872 - 1880

Abundance (Guide)
R

Rare. Sedentary.

Habitat
Undisturbed primary rainforest of the inland plateau, preferring the canopy of the tallest forest, secondary regrowth, including revegatated mining areas planted with Japanese Cherry, but also occasionally in forests of lowland shore terraces.

Range (Guide)

Christmas Island (B) (NB).

Image of Range of Christmas Island Imperial-Pigeon

Christmas I (Indian Ocean). Unsuccessfully introduced to Cocos (Keeling) Is during period 1885-1900.

Rarity Status
Currently this species is not classified as a rarity in this country OR information has not been updated.

Population
Estimated population is 10,000 - 19,999 (2010) and stable.

Status NT
Endangered.

For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.

Habits
Singly, in pairs or in small groups, high in the canopy of rainforest of flying overhead.

Food
Mostly fruits but also buds and leaves.

Voice
A slightly hollow, drawn-out, 'coo', rising and falling in pitch. A rolling, 'crew-crew-crew'. A deep and pure, 'whoo'.

Xeno-Canto Sound Files (more (1)...)

Christmas Imperial Pigeon (Ducula whartoni) [XC583372]
by id from Christmas Island National Park, Australia (call)

Christmas Imperial Pigeon (Ducula whartoni) [XC68213]
by Craig Robertson from Christmas Island, Australia (song)

Breeding Season (Guide)
Poorly known. Late August - February.

Nest
A flat, loose platform composed of dry twigs at the top of tall rainforest trees, in dense foliage.

Eggs (Guide)
2 - 3; white; oval.

Young
Fledge in about 24 - 27 days.

Subspecies
Closely related to Pink-headed Imperial-Pigeon (Ducula rosacea) of Indonesia and sometimes considered conspecific. Both form a superspecies with Island Imperial-Pigeon (Ducula pistrinaria) and Grey Imperial-Pigeon (Ducula pickeringii).

No subspecies.

References
See References.

The Field Guide to the Birds of Australia Pizzey, G., and Knight, E., 1997, Angus & Robertson, Sydney ISBN 0 207 19691 5
Field Guide to Australian Birds Morecombe, M., 2000, Steve Parish Publishing Pty Ltd. ISBN 1 876282 10 X
Field Guide to the Birds of Australia Simpson, K., and Day, N., 1999, 6th Edition, Viking ISBN 0 670 87918 5
Reader's Digest Complete Book of Australian Birds 1988, 2nd Edition, Reader's Digest ISBN 0 949819 99 9
What Bird is That? 1984, Revised Edition, Angus & Robertson, Sydney ISBN 0 207 14846 5
Handbook of Australian, New Zealand & Antarctic Birds 1990 - , Oxford University Press, Melbourne ISBN 0 19 553244 9

Files:

JPG files for Christmas Island Imperial-Pigeon (Ducula whartoni) - 10 files

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BirdLife International

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BirdLife International Species Factsheet.

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