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11

Torresian Imperial-Pigeon

(Ducula spilorrhoa)
Alternate name(s): "Australian Pied Imperial-Pigeon", "Torres Strait Pigeon", "(White) Nutmeg Pigeon"
Aboriginal name(s): "ruguju" [ngadjon], "nyungu"

Size: 38-44 cm
Weight: 400-530 g

Similar
species

Description     Classification     Distribution     Sightings     Photos     Breeding     Nest     Eggs     Behaviour     Food     Call/s

Physical description

Click here for a physical description

Taxonomy, classification

See Torresian Imperial-Pigeon at Wikipedia .

Click here for classification information

Range, habitat, finding this species

Click here for information on habitat and range

Sightings

Click here for sighting information

Photos

ADULT

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]

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

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]

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

Behaviour

Frontal view of a male Torresian Imperial-Pigeon "cooing" for his partner (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Darwin, NT, May 2013]

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]

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 .

These pages are largely based on our own observations and those of our contributors. The structure of these bird pages is explained HERE. For more salient facts on any bird species please refer to a field guide.

Would you like to contribute photos or sound recordings to this site?
If interested, please CLICK HERE. Credits to contributors are given HERE.