The tooth-billed pigeon, also known as the manumea, is a large pigeon found only in Samoa. It is the only living species of genus Didunculus. A related extinct species, the Tongan tooth-billed pigeon, is only known from subfossil remains in several archeological sites in Tonga. The tooth-billed pigeon is the national bird of Samoa and featured on the 20 tālā bills and the 50 sene pieces of the 2008/2011 series. Native only to Samoa's primary rainforest, it is considered to be endangered, with only a few hundred individuals thought to remain in existence.
Region
Western Polynesia (Samoa)
Typical Environment
The species is confined to undisturbed or mature lowland and montane rainforests on Savai‘i and ‘Upolu. It favors dense, fruiting forest with tall canopy and intact midstory, often along ridges and steep valleys. Birds forage high in trees but may descend to the understory or forest floor to pick fallen fruit. It avoids heavily modified habitats such as plantations and urban edges.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1600 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also called the manumea, the tooth-billed pigeon is Samoa’s national bird and the sole living member of the genus Didunculus. Its heavy, parrot-like, toothed bill is unique among pigeons and is used to tackle tough rainforest fruits. It is a distant relative within the broader pigeon-dove family that also includes the dodo. Today it survives only in small, isolated pockets of primary forest on Samoa’s main islands.
Illustration by John Gould (probably from stuffed specimens)
Illustration in habitat by Gustav Mützel
Live specimen, 1901
Temperament
shy and secretive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats through forest; strong but brief bursts between trees
Social Behavior
Usually solitary or in pairs, becoming more conspicuous at fruiting trees. Likely monogamous, with simple platform nests placed in trees. Clutch size is small, and chicks are tended by both parents.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are low, soft coos and grunts that carry poorly through dense forest. It also produces abrupt wing-claps when flushed.
