Ducula rufigaster
The Purple-tailed Imperial Pigeon (*Ducula rufigaster*) is a striking, medium-large frugivore endemic to the vibrant lowland and hill rainforests of New Guinea and its satellite islands. Measuring approximately 33-36 cm (13-14 inches) in length and weighing between 350-500 grams, this impressive pigeon is characterized by its iridescent dark green to bronzy-purple upperparts, which contrast sharply with its eponymous, deep purple-maroon tail and undertail coverts. Its head and neck are typica...
This species primarily inhabits lowland and hill tropical rainforests, typically found from sea level up to elevations of around 1400 meters.
The Purple-tailed Imperial Pigeon is primarily frugivorous, feeding extensively on a variety of large fruits, berries, and occasionally seeds, foraged directly from tree branches in the canopy.
The Purple-tailed Imperial Pigeon is a largely arboreal and diurnal species, spending most of its time high in the rainforest canopy. It typically forages alone or in small groups, occasionally congregating in larger numbers at abundant fruiting trees. Its foraging strategy involves plucking larg...
The Purple-tailed Imperial Pigeon is endemic to the Australasian realm, primarily distributed across the vast island of New Guinea and several adjacent satellite islands. Its breeding range covers most of the major landmass of New Guinea, encompassing both the Indonesian provinces of West Papua a...
Least Concern
- The Purple-tailed Imperial Pigeon is one of over 30 species in the *Ducula* genus, a group renowned for their large size and predominantly fruit-based diets. - Its scientific epithet, *rufigaster*, directly translates to "red belly" or "rufous belly," referring to the reddish-purple undertail c...