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Torresian Imperial-PigeonAlternate name(s): "Australian Pied Imperial-Pigeon", "Torres Strait Pigeon", "(White) Nutmeg Pigeon" ![]() Size: 38-44 cm Weight: 400-530 g |
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Similar |
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See Torresian
Imperial-Pigeon at Wikipedia ![]() |
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Photos |
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ADULT |
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MALE |
Frontal view of a male Torresian Imperial-Pigeon "cooing" for
its partner; the sex was determined based on behaviour, not
by outward appearance (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Darwin, NT, May 2013]
Sex unknown |
Frontal view of a Torresian Imperial-Pigeon
[Darwin, NT, August 2014]
Frontal/ventral view of a Torresian Imperial-Pigeon
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Palmerston Golf Course, Palmerston, NT, July 2020]
Near-lateral view of a Torresian Imperial-Pigeon
(photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Darwin, NT, September 2017]
Near-lateral/ventral view of a Torresian Imperial-Pigeon
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Mission Beach, QLD, September 2020]
Close-up lateral view of a roosting Torresian Imperial-Pigeon
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Cattana Wetlands, Cairns, QLD, November 2018]
Lateral view of a Torresian Imperial-Pigeon
[Darwin, NT, August 2014]
Close-up lateral/ventral view of a Torresian Imperial-Pigeon
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Cattana Wetlands, Cairns, QLD, November 2018]
Lateral view of two Torresian Imperial-Pigeons roosting high up in a tree
[Darwin, NT, August 2014]
Near-dorsal view of a Torresian Imperial-Pigeon (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Tiwi Island, NT, August 2013]
Near-dorsal/ventral view of a Torresian Imperial-Pigeon
(photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Tiwi Island, NT, August 2013]
Dorsal view of a Torresian Imperial-Pigeon
[Darwin, NT, August 2014]
Lateral view of a Torresian Imperial-Pigeon in flight
[Darwin, NT, August 2014]
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Breeding information |
Breeding season: Aug - Jan | Eggs: 1 | Incubation period: 26 - 28 days | Fledging age: 21 - 28 days |
Nest building: Female & male | Incubation: Female & male | Dependent care: Female & male |
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Nest |
"bungobittah", "lar", "malunna", "jindi" [bundjalung] = nest [Aboriginal] |
Type: Rudimentary basket | Material: Sticks, twigs | Height above ground: 1 - 10 m |
Nests can be placed as low as 1 m from the ground in mangrove, but will be higher in rainforest.
Frontal view of a Torresian Imperial-Pigeon on its nest
(photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Marlow Lagoon, Palmerston, NT, November 2020]
Frontal view of a Torresian Imperial-Pigeon on its nest
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Mission Beach, QLD, September 2020]
Close-up lateral view of a Torresian Imperial-Pigeon on its nest
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Cattana Wetlands, Cairns, QLD, December 2018]
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Eggs |
"boyanga", "booyanga", "derinya", "dirandil", "koomura", "mirk", "ngampu", "nooluk", "pateena", "pum-pum" = Egg; "dirundirri" = eggs [Aboriginal]; "gawu" = eggs [gamilaraay] |
Size: 45 x 31 mm | Colour: White | Shape: Oval |
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Behaviour |
Frontal view of a male Torresian Imperial-Pigeon "cooing" for his partner
(photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Darwin, NT, May 2013]
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Food, Diet |
Torresian Imperial-Pigeon feeding on the fruit of a Carpentaria Palm
(photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Darwin, NT, September 2017]
Lateral view of a Torresian Imperial-Pigeon feeding on fruit
(photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Tiwi Island, NT, August 2013]
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Call(s)/Song |
For this species we have recorded the following call(s)/song. The
interpretation of their meaning is our own;
comments and suggestions for improvement are welcome.
Doves and pigeons do not, like other birds, open their bills when calling, but they rather "hum" through their noses, with the bill closed.
piedimp_20140817.m4a |
spilorrhoa (Top End, NT) |
Contact call (Little Corella in bkgd) | © MD | |
piedimp_20140817_NR.m4a |
spilorrhoa (Top End, NT) |
Contact call | © MD | |
piedimp_pb_20200415_2.m4a |
spilorrhoa (Darwin, NT) |
Going to roost | © PB | |
piedimp_pb_20200415_3a.m4a |
spilorrhoa (Darwin, NT) |
Going to roost | © PB |
More Torresian Imperial-Pigeon sound recordings are available at
xeno-canto.org
.