Grey-green Fruit Dove

About

The Grey-green Fruit Dove (Ptilinopus purpuratus) is a medium-sized, vibrantly colored fruit dove endemic to the Society Islands in French Polynesia. Known for its predominantly green plumage with distinctive purple and yellow markings, it is a shy, arboreal species that feeds primarily on fruits in the forest canopy. Its cryptic coloration helps it blend into its lush tropical habitat.

Size & lifespan

Length

20-24 cm

Wingspan

Approximately 35-40 cm

Weight

80-100 g

Lifespan

Unknown in the wild, likely several years based on similar species

Diet

Frugivore

Physical characteristics

Plumage

Adult males have a predominantly grey-green body plumage. The crown is a striking deep purplish-red, bordered by a narrow yellow band. The throat and upper breast are grey, transitioning to green on the belly. The undertail coverts are bright yellow. The wings are green with yellowish edges to the flight feathers. Adult females are similar but typically have a duller purplish-red crown, sometimes with less distinct yellow bordering, and generally less vibrant overall coloration. Some females may lack the yellow undertail coverts or have them less intensely colored.

Beak shape

Small, slender, and slightly hooked at the tip, typically greenish-yellow to yellowish-orange.

Eye color

Dark brown, often surrounded by a narrow, pale orbital ring.

Leg color

Reddish-pink to purplish-red.

Distinguishing features

The combination of the deep purplish-red crown, yellow band, and bright yellow undertail coverts against the grey-green body is highly distinctive. Its small size and typical fruit dove shape (compact body, short tail) are also key features.

Juvenile appearance

Juveniles are duller overall, lacking the distinct purplish-red crown and yellow band. Their plumage is mostly green, often with some greyish wash, and the undertail coverts are a duller yellow or greenish-yellow. The purplish-red crown develops gradually with maturity.

Seasonal changes

No significant seasonal plumage changes are reported for this species. Plumage remains consistent year-round, with variations primarily due to age and sex.

Sexual dimorphism

Males are generally more brightly colored with a more intense purplish-red crown and more prominent yellow markings. Females are duller, with a less vivid crown and sometimes reduced yellow on the undertail coverts. This dimorphism can be subtle and requires good views for confident identification.

How to identify

1. 1

   Crown Color

   Look for the distinctive deep purplish-red crown, often bordered by a narrow yellow band, which is unique among fruit doves in its range.

2. 2

   Undertail Coverts

   Observe the bright yellow undertail coverts, a key field mark that contrasts with the grey-green body.

3. 3

   Overall Plumage

   Note the predominantly grey-green body plumage, which provides excellent camouflage in the forest canopy.

4. 4

   Size and Shape

   Its small, compact body and short tail are typical of fruit doves. Look for a relatively small dove moving deliberately in the upper canopy.

5. 5

   Vocalization

   Listen for its soft, mournful, descending cooing calls, which are often ventriloquial and can help pinpoint its location even when hidden by foliage.

Habitat & range

Biomes

Tropical moist lowland forests, montane forests, and secondary growth.

Geographic range

Endemic to the Society Islands of French Polynesia, specifically found on islands such as Tahiti, Moorea, Huahine, Raiatea, Tahaa, and Bora Bora.

Elevation range

Typically found from sea level up to approximately 1,500 meters (5,000 feet) in montane forests.

Preferred environments

Dense forest canopy, particularly areas rich in fruiting trees. They prefer undisturbed primary forests but can also be found in mature secondary growth and well-wooded gardens or plantations.

Behavior

Activity time

Diurnal, most active during the early morning and late afternoon.

Feeding habits

Primarily frugivorous, feeding on a wide variety of small fruits and berries, often swallowed whole. They forage in the canopy, moving deliberately among branches to pluck fruits. They are known to consume fruits from various native and introduced tree species.

Social behavior

Generally solitary or found in pairs. They can occasionally be seen in small, loose aggregations at abundant fruiting trees, but do not form large flocks.

Flight pattern

Flight is typically fast and direct, often with rapid wing beats. They are not strong fliers over long distances, usually making short flights between fruiting trees or across small clearings.

Migration pattern

Resident species; no migratory patterns are known. They are sedentary within their island habitats.

Territoriality

Little is known about their territorial behavior, but like many fruit doves, they likely defend a breeding territory during the nesting season.

Breeding & reproduction

Breeding season

Breeding season is not precisely defined but is thought to occur year-round, with peaks often coinciding with fruit availability. Observations suggest breeding activity between September and January.

Nesting habits

Nests are typically flimsy platforms of twigs, placed high in the canopy of trees or shrubs. Both parents are believed to participate in nest building.

Clutch size

1 egg.

Egg description

A single, plain white egg is laid. The egg is typically oval-shaped.

Incubation period

Approximately 16-18 days.

Fledging period

Chicks fledge around 12-14 days after hatching.

Parental care

Both parents share incubation duties and care for the single chick until it fledges. They feed the chick 'crop milk' initially, transitioning to regurgitated fruit.

Where to find

Field tips

1. Look Up. These doves spend almost all their time in the forest canopy. Scan the upper branches of fruiting trees carefully.
2. Listen for Calls. Their soft, mournful cooing is often the first indication of their presence. Learn their call to help locate them, even if they are hidden by dense foliage.
3. Patience and Stealth. They are shy and cryptic. Move slowly and quietly through the forest, and be prepared to wait patiently near fruiting trees.
4. Binoculars. High-quality binoculars are essential for observing their subtle plumage details in the often dim light of the forest understory.

Similar species

Quick facts

Diet:

Exclusively fruits

Habitat:

Tropical forests of Society Islands

Sociality:

Solitary or in pairs

Conservation Status:

Least Concern

Distinguishing Mark:

Purplish-red crown and yellow undertail coverts

Fun facts

• The Grey-green Fruit Dove plays a crucial ecological role as a seed disperser for many native forest trees in the Society Islands, helping to maintain forest health and regeneration.
• Like all fruit doves, it has a specialized digestive system that allows it to process fruits quickly, often regurgitating seeds intact, which aids in seed dispersal.
• Its cryptic coloration makes it incredibly difficult to spot amidst the dense foliage, even when it is calling nearby.

Scientific classification

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Aves

Order

Columbiformes

Family

Columbidae

Genus

Ptilinopus

Species

Ptilinopus purpuratus

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