Wallace's fruit dove is a species of a bird in the pigeon family Columbidae. The name commemorates the British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace. It is a rather large, long-tailed fruit dove with a length of 24–28 cm (9.4–11.0 in) and has been described as "one of the most beautiful" fruit doves. The forehead and crown are dull crimson, the lower face and throat are white, and the rest of the head, breast, neck, and upper back are pale bluish-grey. The wings and lower back are green and the belly is orange, separated from the chest by a white band. Both sexes look similar, but females have less extensive red on the head and a greenish tinge to their grey parts.
Region
Maluku Islands
Typical Environment
Wallace's fruit dove inhabits lowland and foothill evergreen forests across parts of the Maluku (Moluccas) archipelago. It favors mature primary forest but also uses secondary growth, forest edges, and fruiting trees in village groves. The species typically forages in the mid- to upper canopy, especially where figs and other fruiting trees are abundant. It can persist in patchy island habitats so long as fruit resources remain available.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
Named for Alfred Russel Wallace, this striking fruit dove is a key seed disperser in the Maluku Islands’ forests. Its vivid orange belly and crisp white band make it one of the most distinctive Ptilinopus doves. It often goes unnoticed despite its colors, keeping high in the canopy and remaining shy around people.
1858 illustration of the species
Temperament
shy and unobtrusive
Flight Pattern
direct, fast flight with rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, occasionally in small groups at heavily fruiting trees. Nests are simple twig platforms placed on horizontal branches in the mid-canopy. A typical clutch is a single egg, with both parents sharing incubation and chick care.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Soft, resonant coos delivered from concealed perches high in the canopy. Phrases are spaced and mellow, carrying through forest understory more than the open air.
