The golden dove, also known as the golden fruit dove, lemon dove or yellow dove, is a small, approximately 20 cm (8 in) long, short-tailed fruit-dove in the family Columbidae. The common name refers to the males' bright golden-yellow colour. The body feathers appear almost iridescent due to their elongated shape and hair-like texture. The head is slightly duller with a greenish tinge. The bill, orbital skin and legs are bluish-green and the iris is whitish. The underwings and tail coverts are yellow. The female is a dark green bird with bare parts resembling those of the male. The young resembles the female.
Region
Fiji archipelago
Typical Environment
Occurs in lowland to mid-elevation rainforests on larger islands of Fiji, especially Viti Levu and nearby islands. Favors dense primary and well-grown secondary forest, but also uses forest edges and wooded gardens when fruiting trees are present. Often keeps to the mid- to upper canopy where it forages quietly among foliage. It may visit village orchards and plantations during heavy fruiting.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1000 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
Endemic to Fiji, the golden fruit dove plays an important role as a seed disperser for native forest trees. Males are brilliantly golden-yellow while females are leafy green, making the species strongly sexually dimorphic. It is generally shy and inconspicuous despite the male’s striking color. Although affected by habitat loss and invasive predators, it is not currently considered threatened.
Temperament
shy and unobtrusive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats between perches
Social Behavior
Usually solitary or in pairs, occasionally small loose groups at abundant fruit. Nests are simple twig platforms placed in trees or dense foliage. Both parents share incubation and care of the single chick, typical of fruit-doves.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are soft, low coos delivered singly or in short series from concealed perches. Calls can be repetitive and carry surprisingly well through dense forest, but are easily overlooked among other dove coos.
