Palau fruit dove

Palau fruit dove
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Columbiformes
Family:	Columbidae
Genus:	Ptilinopus
Species:	P. pelewensis
Binomial name
Ptilinopus pelewensis Hartlaub & Finsch, 1868

The Palau fruit dove (Ptilinopus pelewensis) is a species of bird in the family Columbidae. It is endemic to Palau and it is also Palau's national bird.[2]

Description

The Palau fruit dove is 23 to 25 cm (9.1–9.8 in) long and weighs around 93 g (3.3 oz). The species has a grey head, neck and breast with a purple cap and yellow line. There is an orange band across the lower breast and belly and olive-green back, wings and tail. Both sexes are alike. Juvenile birds resemble the adults but lack the purple cap, the green upperparts are lined with yellow and the belly is yellow.[3]

Distribution and habitat

The Palau fruit dove is endemic to Palau, where it is common in all habitats across the island.[3] The species declined due to hunting prior to 1945, but has rebounded with protection and is now common.[4]

References

1. BirdLife International (2016). "Ptilinopus pelewensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22691460A93313050. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22691460A93313050.en. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
2. Minahan, James (2009). The Complete Guide to National Symbols and Emblems [2 Volumes]. Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO. p. 146. ISBN 9780313344978.
3. Baptista, L.; Trail, P.; Horblit, H.; Boesman, P. (2017). del Hoyo, Josep; Elliott, Andrew; Sargatal, Jordi; Christie, David A.; de Juana, Eduardo (eds.). "Palau Fruit-dove (Ptilinopus pelewensis)". Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Barcelona, Spain: Lynx Edicions. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
4. Pratt, H. Douglas; Engbring, John; Bruner, Phillip L.; Berrett, Delwyn G. (May 1980). "Notes on the Taxonomy, Natural History, and Status of the Resident Birds of Palau" (PDF). The Condor. 82 (2): 117. doi:10.2307/1367460. JSTOR 1367460.