Subspecies
The following 4 subspecies are recognised:
nobilis Gould, 1870 - Batanta and Waigeo, and mountains of western New Guinea (Arfak, Wandamen, Weyland, Snow and mountains on upper R Memberamo).
aruensis Rothschild, 1928 - Aru Is. Considered by some authors to be a distinct species, White-naped Pheasant-pigeon (Otidiphaps aruensis).
cervicalis Ramsay, EP, 1880 - Mountains of eastern and south-eastern New Guinea (Saruwaged, Sepik, Kuper). Considered by some authors to be a distinct species, Grey-naped Pheasant-pigeon (Otidiphaps cervicalis).
insularis Salvin & Godman, 1883 - Fergusson I (D'Entrecasteaux Is). Considered by some authors to be a distinct species, Black-naped Pheasant-pigeon (Otidiphaps insularis).