The Seram imperial pigeon is a species of bird in the family Columbidae. It is endemic to Indonesia where it is found on Seram and Ambon Islands in the Moluccas.
Region
Maluku Islands (Moluccas), Indonesia
Typical Environment
Endemic to Seram and Ambon, where it inhabits primary and mature secondary rainforest. It favors tall lowland and hill forests but also visits forest edges and fruiting trees near clearings. Birds spend most of their time in the upper canopy, moving between fruiting trees and along ridges. They can occur in lightly disturbed forests and sometimes in mixed agroforestry areas.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A canopy-dwelling fruit specialist, the Seram imperial pigeon is an important seed disperser for rainforest trees, including figs and nutmeg relatives. It is typically shy and more often heard by its deep, resonant coos than seen. Although affected locally by habitat loss and hunting, it is currently not considered at high risk.
Temperament
shy and wary
Flight Pattern
strong flier with direct, powerful wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly, in pairs, or small loose groups at fruiting trees. Nests high in the canopy on a simple stick platform, typically laying a single egg. Pairs maintain close contact calls and may join mixed-species fruiting aggregations when resources peak.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Deep, resonant booming coos delivered in slow sequences from the canopy. Calls carry far through forest, often given at dawn and dusk. Wing-claps may be heard when birds flush from trees.
Plumage
Smooth, mostly grey plumage with darker slate wings and mantle, often with a faint greenish gloss on the upperparts. Head and neck are paler bluish-grey, with blackish flight feathers and a broad, pale grey tail band. Underparts are medium grey with a slightly lighter belly; undertail may show pale edging.
Diet
Primarily feeds on fruits, especially figs (Ficus) and drupes from large rainforest trees, swallowing them whole and later dispersing seeds. Also takes berries from secondary growth and forest edges. Follows seasonal fruiting, moving locally to track abundance.
Preferred Environment
Forages high in the canopy of lowland and hill forest, occasionally descending to mid-levels. Regularly visits fruiting trees along forest edges, riverine corridors, and sometimes in agroforests near villages.
