Reinwardtoena reinwardti
The Great Cuckoo-Dove (Reinwardtoena reinwardti) is a strikingly elegant member of the Columbidae family, distinguished by its exceptionally long, tapered tail, contributing significantly to its impressive length of 47-52 cm (18.5-20.5 inches). Its plumage features a contrasting palette: a soft grey head and neck, transitioning to rich rufous-chestnut underparts, while its back, wings, and elongated tail gleam with an iridescent dark green. A prominent white band across the nape of the neck s...
This species primarily inhabits humid montane and hill forests, often found in dense primary forest, secondary growth, and forest edges, typically at elevations ranging from 600 to 2600 meters.
Primarily frugivorous, the Great Cuckoo-Dove feeds on a variety of fruits, berries, and seeds, foraging almost exclusively in the arboreal layer of the forest.
The Great Cuckoo-Dove is a shy and largely inconspicuous species, typically observed singly or in pairs, often perched high in the forest canopy. It is diurnal, spending its days foraging for fruits and seeds among the tree branches, where its cryptically colored plumage aids in concealment. Its ...
The Great Cuckoo-Dove is an endemic resident of New Guinea and its satellite islands, including Waigeo and the Aru Islands, within the biogeographical region of Australasia. Its distribution spans across the entire island of New Guinea, encompassing both the Indonesian provinces of West Papua and...
Least Concern
- The Great Cuckoo-Dove earns its name from its exceptionally long, graduated tail, which gives it a somewhat cuckoo-like silhouette in flight, a rare trait among doves. - Despite its striking plumage, this species is notoriously shy and often hard to spot, preferring the dense canopy of montane ...