The Christmas imperial pigeon or Christmas Island imperial pigeon, also known as Black imperial pigeon, Dusky imperial pigeon, Wharton's imperial pigeon, or burong pergam, is a large imperial pigeon endemic to Christmas Island in the northeastern Indian Ocean. It has an overall grey-blue colouration, and juveniles are duller than adults. It makes a soft purring coo sound and a deeper whoo sound comparable to a cow mooing. It lays one glossy white egg per brood, and is possibly somewhat colonial.
Region
Eastern Indian Ocean
Typical Environment
Confined to the evergreen rainforests of Christmas Island, it uses primary and mature secondary forest, forest edges, and fruiting trees in clearings. It forages mostly in the upper canopy but will also visit mid-story fruiting shrubs. Nesting occurs high in tall trees where disturbance is minimal. Although largely forest-dependent, it can cross open areas between fruiting patches.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 360 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This large imperial pigeon is found only on Australia’s Christmas Island and plays a vital role in rainforest regeneration by dispersing seeds of many native trees. It gives a soft purring coo and a deeper, cow‑like whoo. The species typically lays just a single glossy white egg on a simple twig platform high in the canopy.
Map of Christmas Island
The Christmas Island flying fox is the only other major frugivore on the island.
Two live specimens
Temperament
wary but often confiding near fruiting trees
Flight Pattern
strong, direct flight with steady wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in small groups, but may gather loosely at abundant fruit sources and is possibly somewhat colonial when nesting. Builds a simple platform nest high in the canopy and typically lays one egg. Both sexes share incubation and chick rearing.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A soft, purring coo is the most frequent call. It also utters a deeper, resonant whoo reminiscent of a cow’s moo, especially at dawn and dusk.
Plumage
Uniform dusky grey-blue to slate with a subtle bluish sheen; flight feathers and tail are darker and more blackish. Juveniles are duller and browner with less sheen.
Diet
Primarily frugivorous, feeding on a wide variety of rainforest fruits and figs, which it swallows whole. It also takes berries and occasionally buds or flowers. By passing seeds intact, it is an important disperser for many canopy trees.
Preferred Environment
Forages mainly in the upper canopy of fruiting rainforest trees and along forest edges. It will visit secondary growth and occasionally gardens where suitable fruiting trees are available.
