The white-capped fruit dove, also called kuku locally, is a species of bird in the family Columbidae. It was described by French naturalist and surgeon Adolphe-Simon Neboux in 1840. It is endemic to the Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia. The name honours French admiral and botanist Abel Aubert du Petit-Thouars. Two subspecies exist on the islands, Ptilinopus d. dupetithouarsii and Ptilinopus d. viridior.
Region
South Pacific, Marquesas Islands
Typical Environment
Found across forested habitats on several Marquesan islands, from coastal groves to inland valleys and ridges. It favors native evergreen and mixed secondary forests where fruiting trees are abundant. The species also visits plantations, orchards, and gardens with fruiting shrubs and trees. It is mostly arboreal, using mid to upper canopy layers but will descend to lower levels when foraging. Occurrence is patchy where habitat has been degraded but it can persist in mosaics of forest and scrub.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1000 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also known locally as the kuku, this fruit-dove is endemic to the Marquesas Islands of French Polynesia and was described in 1840 by Adolphe-Simon Neboux. Its name honors French admiral and botanist Abel Aubert du Petit-Thouars. It plays an important role as a seed disperser for native trees and shrubs. Two subspecies occur on different islands: P. d. dupetithouarsii and P. d. viridior.
Temperament
shy and wary
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, and occasionally in small family groups at fruiting trees. Pairs are likely monogamous, building a simple twig platform nest in the canopy. Clutch size is typically one egg, with both parents sharing incubation and chick care.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Voice is a series of soft, low coos and muffled hoots, often delivered from within dense foliage. Phrases are repeated with gentle pauses and can be hard to locate due to their ventriloquial quality.
Plumage
Compact, predominantly green fruit-dove with a clean white crown and contrasting softer gray head and upper breast. The belly shows warm yellow to orange tones with subtle grading into the green flanks. Wings and back are rich green with yellowish fringes on some feathers; tail is green with a faint darker terminal band.
Diet
Primarily consumes small to medium fruits and berries from native and introduced trees, including figs, guava, and other fleshy fruits. It swallows fruits whole and later passes seeds, aiding forest regeneration. Occasionally supplements diet with buds and tender leaves when fruit is scarce.
Preferred Environment
Forages mostly in the mid to upper canopy at fruiting trees, but will drop to lower branches and edges where fruit is available. Frequently visits forest edges, secondary growth, and village orchards during peak fruiting.
