The superb fruit dove, also known as the purple-crowned fruit dove, is a medium-sized, colourful fruit-dove in the family Columbidae.
Region
Australasia
Typical Environment
Occurs from eastern Indonesia (including the Moluccas) through New Guinea and adjacent islands to northeastern Australia (primarily coastal and subcoastal Queensland). Favors primary and secondary lowland and foothill rainforests, monsoon forests, and dense gallery forest along rivers. It also visits forest edges, fruiting trees in wooded gardens, and occasionally plantations when figs and other fruits are abundant. The species is generally sedentary but makes local movements tracking fruiting events.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
The superb fruit dove, also called the purple-crowned fruit dove, is a small, vividly colored pigeon of Australasian rainforests. Males are striking with a purple crown and orange nape collar, while females are mostly green and well camouflaged. It is an important seed disperser for many rainforest trees, especially figs. Typically quiet and canopy-dwelling, it is more often detected by its soft, rhythmic coos than by sight.
Male at Iron Range NP, Queensland.
Female at Taronga Zoo, Australia
Male at Burgers' Zoo, Netherlands
Temperament
shy and canopy-dwelling
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats between trees
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, but small groups form at heavily fruiting trees. Builds a flimsy twig platform nest placed high in dense foliage; clutch is typically a single egg. Both parents share incubation and chick-rearing duties.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives a series of soft, rhythmic coos and hoo notes that carry through dense foliage. The song is low-pitched, mellow, and repetitive, often delivered from a concealed perch. Calls may intensify around dawn when birds are most active.
