The Sula fruit dove is a species of bird in the family Columbidae. It is endemic to the Sula Islands. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. It is threatened by habitat loss.
Region
Wallacea, eastern Indonesia
Typical Environment
Occurs only on the Sula Islands, inhabiting primary and tall secondary lowland forests. It favors areas with abundant fruiting trees, especially figs, and often uses forest edges and riverine strips. Although primarily a lowland species, it may ascend into lower hill forest where suitable fruit resources are available.
Altitude Range
0–900 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This fruit-dove is confined to Indonesia’s Sula Islands, where it plays a key role in dispersing the seeds of many native trees. Males show a distinctive gray head with a dark nape patch, while females are mostly green and well-camouflaged in the canopy. It is sensitive to forest loss and fragmentation but may persist in mature secondary forest where large fruiting trees remain.
Temperament
shy and canopy-dwelling
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with swift, direct dashes between trees
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, sometimes in small loose groups at heavily fruiting trees. Nests are flimsy twig platforms placed well above ground in dense foliage. Clutch size is typically a single egg, with both parents sharing incubation and chick rearing.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
The voice is a series of low, mellow coos delivered from concealed perches high in the canopy. Calls may include soft hoo or hoo-oo notes repeated in a measured rhythm, carrying surprisingly far in still forest.
Plumage
Male with smooth gray head and nape contrasting with rich green upperparts and an orange-yellow wash across the breast blending into the belly; female largely green with subtler underpart tones. Both sexes have neat, compact plumage with a velvety-green sheen on the wings and back.
Diet
Feeds primarily on soft fruits, especially figs and other canopy-produced drupes and berries. It swallows small fruits whole and later disperses seeds, aiding forest regeneration. Occasionally takes buds or tender plant matter when fruit is scarce.
Preferred Environment
Forages high in the canopy of primary and mature secondary forests, often at fruiting trees along edges and streams. Will visit forest gaps and fruiting trees near villages if undisturbed.
