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The Yellow-necked Green Pigeon (Treron vernans) is a medium-sized, arboreal pigeon found in Southeast Asia. It is known for its striking sexual dimorphism, with males displaying vibrant plumage including a distinctive yellow neck patch, while females are predominantly green. These pigeons are primarily frugivorous, feeding on a variety of fruits in their forest and woodland habitats.
Size & lifespan
- Length
- 25-30 cm
- Wingspan
- 45-50 cm
- Weight
- 100-160 g
- Lifespan
- Approximately 5-10 years in the wild
- Diet
- Frugivore
Physical characteristics
- Plumage
- Males are characterized by a grey head, a bright yellow patch on the hindneck, a pinkish-orange breast, and a purplish-maroon mantle. The rest of the body is largely green, with yellow undertail coverts and dark primary flight feathers. Females are predominantly dull green, with a greyish wash on the head and yellow undertail coverts. Both sexes have a greyish-green tail with a broad dark subterminal band.
- Beak shape
- Relatively short and stout, pale greenish-blue at the base, fading to yellowish or whitish at the tip.
- Eye color
- Inner ring blue, outer ring red or orange-red.
- Leg color
- Reddish-pink to purplish-red.
- Distinguishing features
- The male's vibrant yellow neck patch and pinkish-orange breast are unmistakable. Females are distinguished from other green pigeons by their overall dull green plumage and yellow undertail coverts.
- Juvenile appearance
- Juveniles resemble adult females but are generally duller, with less distinct grey on the head and often some brownish wash on the plumage. The yellow undertail coverts are present but may be less vibrant.
- Seasonal changes
- No significant seasonal plumage changes; breeding and non-breeding plumages are similar.
- Sexual dimorphism
- Pronounced. Males are much more colorful with a yellow neck, pinkish-orange breast, and purplish-maroon mantle. Females are largely dull green.
How to identify
- 1
Male Plumage
Look for the distinctive combination of a grey head, bright yellow hindneck patch, pinkish-orange breast, and purplish-maroon mantle. The rest of the body is green.
- 2
Female Plumage
Observe for an overall dull green body with a greyish wash on the head and bright yellow undertail coverts. The lack of vibrant colors on the neck and breast distinguishes her from the male.
- 3
Vocalization
Listen for their characteristic soft cooing songs and 'whistle-coo' calls, which can help confirm identification, especially for females.
- 4
Habitat
They are typically found in fruiting trees in forests, forest edges, and cultivated areas. Their arboreal nature means they are often seen high in the canopy.
- 5
Behavior
Watch for their feeding behavior, often hanging upside down to reach fruits. They are generally less shy than some other pigeon species.
Habitat & range
- Biomes
- Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, mangroves, secondary growth, plantations, and gardens.
- Geographic range
- Southeast Asia, including Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia (Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Sulawesi, and many smaller islands), Brunei, and the Philippines.
- Elevation range
- Primarily lowlands, from sea level up to approximately 1,000 meters (occasionally higher).
- Preferred environments
- Prefers forest edges, open woodlands, coastal areas with fruiting trees, and cultivated areas with abundant fruit sources.
Behavior
- Activity time
- Diurnal, most active during the morning and late afternoon.
- Feeding habits
- Primarily frugivorous, feeding on a wide variety of fruits, especially figs (Ficus species). They forage in the canopy, often hanging upside down to reach fruit. They swallow fruits whole.
- Social behavior
- Typically seen singly, in pairs, or in small flocks. Larger congregations can form at abundant fruiting trees or communal roosts.
- Flight pattern
- Direct and swift flight, often with rapid wing beats. Can be quite agile when maneuvering through dense canopy.
- Migration pattern
- Resident throughout its range, with some local movements in response to fruit availability.
- Territoriality
- Generally not highly territorial, especially when foraging, but pairs will defend their nesting area.
Song & calls
- Song
- A series of soft, cooing notes, often described as a 'coo-coo-coo-coo' or a 'whistle-coo-coo'. The song can be quite melodious and drawn out.
- Call
- Various calls including soft 'hoo-hoo-hoo' notes, a low 'grrr' sound, and a distinctive 'whistle-coo' or 'whistle-whistle-coo' that can be quite far-carrying.
- When they vocalize
- Most vocal during the breeding season and when foraging, particularly in the early morning and late afternoon.
Breeding & reproduction
- Breeding season
- Varies geographically, but generally throughout the year with peaks during the dry season or when fruit is abundant. For example, in Malaysia, it's often March-July.
- Nesting habits
- Nests are typically flimsy platforms of twigs, placed in the fork of a tree or shrub, often at a moderate height (2-10 meters) above the ground. Both parents participate in nest building.
- Clutch size
- 1-2 eggs.
- Egg description
- Usually one, sometimes two, plain white, elliptical eggs.
- Incubation period
- Approximately 17-18 days.
- Fledging period
- Chicks fledge around 10-12 days after hatching.
- Parental care
- Both parents share incubation duties and care for the young, feeding them 'crop milk' initially, followed by regurgitated fruit.
Where to find
Fruiting Trees
Focus on areas with abundant fruiting trees, especially fig trees (Ficus spp.), as these are their primary food source. They will congregate where fruit is ripe.
Forest Edges and Secondary Growth
These pigeons often prefer the edges of forests, secondary growth, and disturbed areas where fruiting plants are common, rather than deep primary forest.
Mangrove Forests
In coastal regions, they can be found in mangrove forests, feeding on the fruits of mangrove trees.
Parks and Gardens
In urbanized areas within their range, they can be found in large parks and gardens with mature fruiting trees.
Field tips
- Look Up. These are arboreal birds and spend most of their time in the canopy. Scan the upper branches of fruiting trees carefully.
- Listen for Calls. Their distinctive cooing and whistling calls can often lead you to their location before you see them.
- Patience at Fruiting Trees. If you find a fruiting tree, especially a fig tree, sit patiently and observe. Green pigeons are likely to visit.
- Use Binoculars. Given their arboreal nature and often cryptic green plumage, good binoculars are essential for detailed observation and identification.
Similar species
Pink-necked Green Pigeon
Treron vernans
The Yellow-necked Green Pigeon was formerly considered a subspecies of the Pink-necked Green Pigeon (Treron vernans). However, recent taxonomic revisions (e.g., by IOC) have split them into two distinct species. The key difference is the male's neck patch: Yellow-necked has a bright yellow patch, while Pink-necked has a pink patch. Females are very similar and difficult to distinguish in the field without clear views of undertail coverts or vocalizations.
Little Green Pigeon
Treron olax
Males of Little Green Pigeon have a grey head and breast, and a chestnut mantle, lacking the yellow neck and pinkish-orange breast of the Yellow-necked Green Pigeon. Females are entirely green with a greyish wash on the head, but lack the distinct yellow undertail coverts of the Yellow-necked Green Pigeon.
Thick-billed Green Pigeon
Treron curvirostra
Thick-billed Green Pigeons have a noticeably thicker, heavier bill. Males have a maroon mantle and grey head, but lack the yellow neck and pinkish-orange breast. Females are duller green with a greyish head, but their bill shape is a key distinguishing feature.
Quick facts
- Primary Diet:
- Fruits (Frugivorous)
- Habitat Type:
- Forests, woodlands, mangroves, cultivated areas
- Social Structure:
- Solitary, pairs, or small flocks
- Conservation Status:
- Least Concern (IUCN)
- Key Male Feature:
- Bright yellow hindneck patch
Fun facts
- The Yellow-necked Green Pigeon was recently split from the Pink-necked Green Pigeon, highlighting the subtle but important differences in their male plumage and potentially genetics.
- Like other green pigeons, they play an important ecological role as seed dispersers, helping to regenerate forests by consuming fruits and dispersing seeds over wide areas.
- Their green plumage provides excellent camouflage among the leaves of the trees where they feed, making them surprisingly difficult to spot despite their vibrant colors.
Scientific classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Columbiformes
- Family
- Columbidae
- Genus
- Treron
- Species
- Treron vernans
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