The Geelvink imperial pigeon is a species of bird in the family Columbidae. It is endemic to Indonesia's Schouten Islands and Mios Num Island, which lie north of New Guinea. Its natural habitats are tropical moist lowland forests and mangrove forests.
Region
New Guinea region (Cenderawasih Bay, Indonesia)
Typical Environment
Occurs on Biak, Supiori, and Numfor (Mios Num) in the Schouten Islands north of New Guinea. It inhabits tropical moist lowland forest, mangrove forest, and adjacent secondary growth and forest edge. The species is largely arboreal, favoring tall canopy and fruiting trees, and occasionally visits coastal groves and village gardens when fruit is abundant. On these small islands it is generally a lowland bird and is uncommon away from intact forest. It may make short movements to track fruit availability.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 600 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This large fruit pigeon is restricted to Indonesia’s Schouten (Biak–Numfor) Islands in Cenderawasih Bay, north of New Guinea. It spends most of its time high in the forest canopy and often commutes between fruiting trees, playing a key role in seed dispersal. Habitat loss and hunting pressure on small islands make it locally vulnerable. Its deep, booming coos can carry far through coastal and lowland forests.
Temperament
shy and arboreal
Flight Pattern
strong, direct wingbeats with swift, purposeful flights between fruiting trees
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly, in pairs, or small loose groups at fruiting trees. Forms monogamous pairs during the breeding season and builds a simple twig platform nest high in a tree, typically laying a single egg. Roosting occurs in tall forest canopy, sometimes communally where undisturbed.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are deep, resonant coos and booming notes that carry through the forest. Calls are delivered in spaced sequences, often at dawn or from concealed perches high in the canopy.
Plumage
Pale to slaty-gray head and neck with darker olive-brown upperparts showing a subtle bronze-green gloss; gray breast shading to buff-gray belly with rich chestnut undertail-coverts. Wings are dark with a greenish sheen and the tail often shows a purplish wash. Overall appearance is a large, smooth-plumaged imperial pigeon with clean gray head contrasting the darker mantle.
Diet
Primarily eats fruits, especially figs and other drupes, which it swallows whole and later disperses as seeds. It targets seasonally fruiting canopy trees and will range widely to track crops. Opportunistically takes berries and may ingest small seeds or buds, but animal matter is minimal.
Preferred Environment
Feeds high in the canopy of lowland rainforest and mangroves, occasionally descending to mid-story or edges. Will visit secondary forest and village trees when fruiting is heavy.
