Wallace's Fruit Dove

The Wallace's fruit dove, named in honor of the British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace, is a rather large and long-tailed member of the fruit dove family, Columbidae. With a length ranging from 24 to 28 centimeters, it is celebrated as one of the most exquisite of its kind. The species exhibits a striking plumage with a dull crimson forehead and crown, a white lower face and throat, and a pale bluish-grey hue adorning the rest of the head, neck, and upper back. The wings and lower back are a vibrant green, while the belly boasts a vivid orange, demarcated by a white band from the chest.

Identification Tips

Both sexes of Wallace's fruit dove are similar in appearance, with females displaying a slightly less extensive red on the head and a greenish tinge to the grey areas. The species can be identified by its golden-bronze shoulder patch, yellow-edged bluish-grey mantle, and inner wing coverts that create a scaled effect. The tail features a mix of green with a whitish band and darker outer feathers with a greyish band.

Habitat

Wallace's fruit dove is native to lowland riverine and coastal forests, including mangroves, forest edges, savannas, gallery forests, and monsoon forests. It has shown adaptability to secondary growth and can be found up to elevations of 250 meters.

Distribution

This species is endemic to Indonesia, gracing the Lesser Sunda Islands, the Moluccas, the Aru Islands, and occasionally southwestern New Guinea. It has been observed on various islands within these regions, from sea level to higher elevations.

Behaviour

Typically seen alone or in pairs, Wallace's fruit dove is nonetheless a social bird that may gather in flocks of up to 26 individuals. It is a conspicuous presence, often spotted flying over roads and clearings or perching openly in trees.

Song & Calls

The Wallace's fruit dove is generally silent but may emit a loud, melancholic "oooo… ooo ooo ooo," with a notable pause between the first and second notes. Excitement may provoke a shorter "woo" call.

Breeding

The species constructs a rather insubstantial nest from twigs within tree branches. Breeding data is scarce, but one nest has been documented in November.

Similar Species

The beautiful fruit dove and the rose-crowned fruit dove bear resemblance to Wallace's fruit dove but can be distinguished by size, tail length, and specific coloration differences in the plumage.

Diet and Feeding

Wallace's fruit dove feeds on small fruits and berries, which it deftly plucks directly from the branches.

Conservation Status

The IUCN Red List categorizes Wallace's fruit dove as Least Concern, owing to its extensive range and absence of significant population declines. It is fairly common in certain areas, indicating a capacity to adapt to human-altered habitats.