The Pompadour green pigeon, Sri Lanka green pigeon or Ceylon green pigeon is a pigeon in the genus Treron. In Sri Lanka, this bird and several other green pigeon are known as bata goya in the Sinhala language. It is found in the forests of Sri Lanka. Many authorities split the species from the pompadour green pigeon complex.
Region
Sri Lanka (South Asia)
Typical Environment
Occurs widely across Sri Lanka in well-wooded habitats, including lowland rainforests, dry-zone forests, riverine woodland, and mature gardens and plantations. It favors the upper canopy and often gathers at fruiting fig trees. It also uses forest edges and secondary growth where large fruiting trees persist. Absent only from the most treeless areas and the highest exposed montane zones.
Altitude Range
0–1600 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This island endemic is the Sri Lankan representative of the former Pompadour green pigeon complex. It is a canopy-dwelling frugivore that plays an important role in dispersing native forest seeds, especially figs. Males show a distinctive maroon mantle, while females are plainer green, making sexing in the field straightforward. Its mellow hoots and whistles often reveal its presence high in fruiting trees.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
fast, direct flight with rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually seen in pairs or small flocks, sometimes larger groups at abundant fruit. Builds a flimsy twig platform high in trees; both sexes participate in incubation and chick rearing. Typical clutch is two white eggs. Roosting often occurs communally in dense canopy.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives mellow, far-carrying hoots and soft whistles, often in repeated two- or three-note phrases. Calls are most frequent at dawn and late afternoon and can carry through dense foliage.
Plumage
Compact, smooth-plumaged green pigeon with bright yellow-green underparts and darker wings. Male shows a rich maroon mantle and wing coverts edged subtly pale; female lacks the maroon and is more uniformly green. Tail is grey-green with a darker subterminal band and paler tip; undertail coverts are yellowish. Flight feathers are darker with pale edging, giving a neat contrast in flight.
Diet
Primarily eats small fruits, especially figs (Ficus spp.), as well as berries of native and cultivated trees. Swallows fruits whole and later regurgitates or passes seeds, aiding forest regeneration. Occasionally takes tender buds and shoots. Feeds methodically in the canopy, moving between fruiting trees.
Preferred Environment
Forages high in the canopy of mature forest, along edges, and in large gardens with fruiting trees. Also visits plantations and village trees when figs and other fruits are in season.
