Ducula Carola

The spotted imperial pigeon (''Ducula carola''), also known as the grey-necked imperial pigeon, is a species of bird in the family Columbidae. Endemic to the Philippines, it lives in forests and forest edges but goes down to the limestone shorelines possibly to feed. It is a vulnerable species threatened by habitat loss and hunting.

It is illegal to hunt, capture or possess spotted imperial pigeons under Philippine Law RA 9147.

Taxonomy and Description

This species was first described as ''Ptilocolpa carola'' by Charles Lucien Bonaparte in 1854. The specific name ''carola'' is derived from the name of a daughter of Bonaparte, Charlotte Honorine Joséphine Pauline Contessa Primoli di Foglia. Overall length is

In the ''D. c. carola'' male, the head and neck are ashy grey. The back and wings are grey, with black spots, some parts having a green gloss. The underside of the wings is pale grey. The tail is blackish with a greenish gloss. The throat is creamy white, the breast is dark grey with a white crescent, and the abdomen is dark chestnut. The feet are purple or pinkish red. The beak is reddish, and the iris is whitish. The female has browner upperparts and does not have a white crescent on its breast. The juvenile bird is similar to the female, but is duller. The other two subspecies can be distinguished by the patterns on their breasts and the colours of their upperparts.

Subspecies

Three subspecies are recognized

* ''D. c. carola'' on Luzon, Mindoro and Sibuyan; Grey breast an slaty gray wings
* ''D. c. nigrorum'' on Negros and Siquijor; Black breast and light chestnut brown wings; Possibly extinct
* ''D. c. mindanensis'' on Mindanao.; Black breast and reddish chestnut wings

Distribution and habitat

The spotted imperial pigeon is endemic to the Philippines. It has been recorded on Luzon, Mindoro, Sibuyan, Negros, Siquijor and Mindanao, but may be locally extinct on some islands. Its habitats are forests and forest edges, including areas with some logging. It is usually found below elevations of above sea level. Seasonally visits limestone shorelines for reasons that have yet to be fully studied.

Behaviour and ecology

This pigeon is often found in flocks of more than 30 individuals. It associates with the green imperial pigeon. The spotted imperial pigeon's voices include ''po po po po po'', and a ''hu hu hu hu hu'' call. Captive birds give low ''oomph'' notes. It eats fruits from ''Eugenia'' and ''Ficus'' trees. It probably breeds from February to July. One nest has been recorded in a hollow in a cliff. Flocks react to the availability of food by moving great distances daily and seasonally. Seasonally visits limestone shorelines for reasons that have yet to be fully studied. Richard Ruiz, who has been monitoring the annual return of the pigeons to Pasuquin shoreline since 2011, says the seasonal movement may be a way for the birds to "socialize." Other theories suggest the pigeons fly down to the coast to ingest calcium and other nutrients that are needed to strengthen their egg shells. Others say the birds travel to the coast to drink or bathe in salt water.

Conservation Status

The population size is estimated at 2500–9999 mature birds, or 3500–15000 total individuals. This species may have become locally extinct on Sibuyan, Mindoro and Siquijor. In the 1950s, it was common on Negros but has not been recorded there recently. It has also declined on Luzon and Mindanao. It is threatened by habitat loss and hunting. Spotted Imperial Pigeons have been recorded on the pet trade. Spotted imperial pigeons occur in the protected Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park and Mt. Kitanglad Natural Park. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed the species's conservation status as vulnerable.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q520683

spotted imperial pigeon
Birds of the Philippines
Endemic birds of the Philippines
spotted imperial pigeon
spotted imperial pigeon
Taxonomy articles created by Polbot