Crosses the Torres Strait each year, migrating between New Guinea and northern Australia to breed in coastal forests and mangroves.
Not listed
At a glance
FamilyPigeons and Doves
SizeLarge
RarityCommon
HabitatIt is found in forest, woodland, savanna, mangrove and scrub in Australia (north-east Western Australia, north Northern Territory and north Queensland, including the Torres Strait Islands), New Guinea, Aru Islands, islands in the Geelvink Bay, D'Entrecasteaux Islands and Louisiade Archipelago.
Best timeMost reliable in Queensland from September to November.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by Étienne Leroy
Range map
Range map
200approx hotspots
78661approx records
3states
Low confidenceMediumHigh confidence
Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.
Species notes
Overview
Tip of the tail also black. Forms large flocks.
Behavior
Feeds on fruits, known to roost on islands and in mangroves.
Gallery
Regional timing
Northern Territory
Queensland
Western Australia
New South Wales
Commonly confused with
Rose-crowned Fruit-DovePtilinopus reginaTiny green and yellow dove. Yellow-orange belly and vent (note Superb Fruit-Dove has a white belly and vent). Pink forehead, gray face and neck, and often a pinkish area on upper belly.→Brown Cuckoo-DoveMacropygia phasianellaLarge brown pigeon with a long tail. Adult males have a green and purple iridescence on the head and neck.→