Black-banded Fruit Dove

The Black-banded Fruit Dove, known scientifically as Ptilinopus alligator, is a pigeon of considerable size, measuring 38 to 44 centimeters in length and tipping the scales at 450 to 570 grams. It presents a striking plumage with a pristine white head, neck, and upper breast. The back and upperwing are cloaked in black, which gracefully transitions to grey upon the rump. Its tail is adorned with a black hue and a broad grey terminal band, while the underparts are a subtle grey, sharply set apart from the white head and neck by a broad black band.

Distribution

This species is a unique resident of Australia, with its range confined to the western edge of the Arnhem Land escarpment.

Habitat

The Black-banded Fruit Dove favors the patches of monsoonal rainforest, where it finds refuge and sustenance.

Food

The diet of this dove is predominantly fruit from the forest trees, with a particular fondness for figs, which are abundant in its rainforest home.

Nesting

In the seclusion of the forest tree, the Black-banded Fruit Dove constructs an open platform of sticks, upon which it lays a single egg, a testament to the simplicity and vulnerability of its breeding strategy.

Conservation status

The Black-banded Fruit Dove is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating that, for now, this species is not at immediate risk of decline.