The orange-breasted green pigeon is a pigeon found across tropical Asia south of the Himalaya across parts of the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia. Like other green pigeons, it feeds mainly on small fruit. They may be found in pairs or in small flocks, foraging quietly and moving slowly on trees. The nape is blue-grey and the crown is yellowish green. The uppertail coverts are bronzed and the undertail coverts are unmarked rufous. The male has a pinkish band on the upper breast with a broader orange one below while the female has a bright yellow breast.
Region
South and Southeast Asia
Typical Environment
Occurs south of the Himalaya across much of the Indian Subcontinent and into continental Southeast Asia. It frequents lowland to foothill forests, wooded groves, orchards, and forest edges. The species is particularly fond of fruiting figs and other canopy fruit trees and can also be found in gardens and plantations. It is largely arboreal, foraging in the mid to upper canopy and descending rarely to the ground.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This quietly arboreal pigeon is often detected by its mellow whistling notes rather than by movement. Males show a distinctive pinkish band above a broader orange breast band, while females have a bright yellow breast. It plays an important role as a seed disperser by swallowing small fruits whole and excreting the seeds away from the parent tree.
Adult male at Sunderbans, India
Temperament
shy and quiet
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Often seen in pairs or small, loose flocks that move slowly and deliberately through fruiting trees. Nests are flimsy stick platforms placed in shrubs or trees, typically holding two white eggs. Both sexes share incubation and chick-rearing duties.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives soft, mellow whistles and low cooing phrases that carry through the canopy. Calls are repetitive and unobtrusive, often the first clue to its presence.
Plumage
Smooth green upperparts with blue-grey nape and yellow-green crown; bronzed uppertail coverts and unmarked rufous undertail coverts. Male with a narrow pinkish breast band above a broader orange band; female with a bright yellow breast lacking the pink band. Wings show yellow-tinged coverts contrasting with darker primaries.
Diet
Feeds mainly on small fruits, especially figs (Ficus), as well as berries and drupes from a variety of forest trees. Fruit is swallowed whole and the seeds are later dispersed, aiding forest regeneration. Occasionally nibbles tender shoots or flower buds but remains primarily frugivorous.
Preferred Environment
Forages high in the mid to upper canopy of fruiting trees in forests, wooded edges, orchards, and plantations. Will also visit village trees and gardens when suitable fruit is available.
