The New Britain bronzewing is a species of bird in the family Columbidae. It is endemic to Papua New Guinea. In 1988, it was rated as a near threatened species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Endangered Species. However, in 2000, it was warranted a vulnerable status.
Region
Bismarck Archipelago, Papua New Guinea
Typical Environment
Occurs across suitable tracts of primary and mature secondary rainforest on New Britain. It favors dense understory and well-developed leaf-litter where it can forage on the ground but will perch and roost in mid-story trees. The species tolerates lightly logged forest but declines where understory is opened or fragmented. It is typically secretive and localized, with records most frequent in less-disturbed lowland and foothill forest.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A shy, ground-dwelling pigeon found only on New Britain in Papua New Guinea, the New Britain bronzewing keeps to dense rainforest and is seldom seen. It flushes suddenly with a whirring wingbeat when disturbed and often walks quietly on the forest floor while foraging. The species is threatened by logging, habitat degradation, and hunting, leading to its current Vulnerable status. Protecting intact lowland and hill forests is key to its persistence.
Temperament
solitary and secretive
Flight Pattern
low, direct flight with short rapid wingbeats; strong but brief bursts through forest gaps
Social Behavior
Usually encountered singly or in pairs, walking quietly on the forest floor. Likely monogamous, with simple platform nests placed in low to mid-story vegetation. Clutch size is small, typically one egg as in many forest pigeons. Both parents are presumed to share incubation and chick rearing.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A low series of deep, resonant coos delivered at intervals from concealed perches. Calls are infrequent and can be hard to locate in dense forest, often heard at dawn or dusk.
