Superb Fruit Dove

The Superb Fruit Dove, or Ptilinopus superbus, is a medium-sized, vibrantly colored member of the Columbidae family. The male of the species is particularly striking, adorned with a fiery orange nape, a purple crown, and green 'ears'. His breast is a muted grey, starkly contrasted by a dark blue band that separates it from the abdomen. Olive green wings speckled with dark spots and a white-tipped tail complete his ensemble. The female, though less flamboyant, is equally beautiful with her predominantly green plumage, white abdomen, blue wingtips, and a light blue breast. A small dark blue spot graces the back of her head. Both sexes boast yellow eyes encircled by yellow rings. Despite their bright plumage, these doves blend seamlessly into the rainforest canopy.

Identification Tips

When attempting to identify the Superb Fruit Dove, look for the male's distinctive orange, purple, and blue head markings and the female's more subdued green and blue hues. Their yellow eyes and eye-rings are also notable features. The species' size, ranging from 22 to 24 cm in length, can help distinguish it from other fruit doves.

Habitat

The Superb Fruit Dove is a denizen of rainforests, where it finds both food and camouflage among the dense foliage.

Distribution

This species calls the rainforests of New Guinea, Australia, the Solomon Islands, the Philippines, and Sulawesi in Indonesia its home. In Australia, its presence stretches from southern New South Wales to Cape York in Queensland.

Behaviour

The Superb Fruit Dove is known for the whistling sound its wings make in flight. Its call is a rhythmic coo-coo-coo-coo. During the breeding season, which spans from September to January, the female lays a single white egg on a modest platform of twigs situated 5 to 30 meters above the ground. The egg is incubated by the female at night and by the male during the day.

Diet and Feeding

Fruits and berries make up the bulk of the Superb Fruit Dove's diet, with a particular fondness for figs, drupes, and palm fruits. They also consume fruits from cinnamon trees and other species, preferring smaller fruits with a maximum volume of around 2.5 cm³.

Conservation status

While habitat loss poses a significant threat, the Superb Fruit Dove is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, thanks to its widespread and common presence across its large range. However, in New South Wales, the species is considered vulnerable, indicating a risk of becoming endangered.