Crimson Crowned Fruit Dove
Ptilinopus porphyraceus
-19.1071, -169.914
Field Notes
Description:
Also known as the Tongan Fruit Dove, or Purple Capped Fruit Dove
A smallish dove, about 20cm in length with distinctive rose petal coloured/shaped top to its head. It has a plain grey/green neck and belly, with striking green wings, of darkening shades towards the tip. The rear end of the bird is bright yellow from the base of its legs, right up under its tail feathers, where it turns to a deep purple/black. Feet are pink and eyes are yellow.
Habitat:
Low lying forest canopy on the islands coast and throughout the island in the native bush. Here it would appear to have been nesting in coconut palms and using twigs from more bushy plants for the nest. Anecdotally, they love the fruiting trees of Niue, such as Noni, ebony fruit and are great dispersers of their seeds.
Notes:
Heard all around the villages of Niue from dawn to late afternoon - relatively difficult to spot initially, but not particularly shy. This bird appeared to be nesting and was spending a fair amount of time picking up and dropping dead branches. On hearing a coo from its mate, it finally selected one and flew off, much like a scalded husband!!!
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