Ducula cineracea
The Timor Imperial Pigeon (*Ducula cineracea*) is a majestic, large-bodied fruit pigeon endemic to the Lesser Sunda Islands, primarily Timor and Wetar. Averaging 38-43 cm (15-17 inches) in length with a robust build, this species is easily recognized by its distinctive pale, ash-grey head and neck, which contrasts sharply with a darker, slaty-grey body, wings, and tail. Its reddish-purple legs and feet and a relatively small, dark bill are key field marks. Taxonomically, it belongs to the *Du...
This species primarily inhabits tropical moist broadleaf forests, ranging from lowland to montane elevations, typically found up to 2,000 meters above sea level, and sometimes utilizes secondary forest patches.
Predominantly frugivorous, its diet consists mainly of large fruits and berries, which it forages for by plucking them directly from forest canopy branches.
The Timor Imperial Pigeon is a diurnal and predominantly arboreal species, spending most of its time foraging high in the canopy and often roosting communally in tall trees. Its foraging strategy involves plucking large fruits and berries directly from branches, often swallowing them whole, which...
The Timor Imperial Pigeon is endemic to the Lesser Sunda Islands, with its primary distribution centered on Timor, encompassing both Indonesia's West Timor and the independent nation of Timor-Leste. Its range also extends to the smaller island of Wetar, located north of Timor, and possibly other ...
Near Threatened
- The Timor Imperial Pigeon is a vital ecological engineer, playing a crucial role in the regeneration of its native forests by dispersing the seeds of large-fruited trees. - Despite its impressive size for a pigeon, reaching over 40 cm in length, it is remarkably agile when navigating dense fore...