Japanese Woodpigeon vs Shining Imperial-pigeon

Columba janthina compared with Ducula chalconota

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Japanese Woodpigeon Shining Imperial-pigeon
Scientific Name Columba janthina Ducula chalconota
Order Columbiformes Columbiformes
Family Columbidae Columbidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length — —
Wingspan 47.6 cm (18.7 in) 42.4 cm (16.7 in)
Weight 397.0 g (14.00 oz) 553.5 g (19.52 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 1 --
Population Trend — —

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Japanese Woodpigeon only

None

Shining Imperial-pigeon only

None

Song & Call Comparison

Japanese Woodpigeon

Song

Deep, resonant cooing; rich notes with carrying quality through dense forest in North Sulawesi. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.

Shining Imperial-pigeon

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Japanese Woodpigeon

Least Concern

Shining Imperial-pigeon

How to Tell Them Apart

Japanese Woodpigeon

Plumage

Japanese Woodpigeon: dark glossy brown-black; green-purple neck gloss; pale below; Japanese island woodpigeon; forest specialist

Shining Imperial-pigeon

About These Birds

Japanese Woodpigeon

Japanese Woodpigeon (Columba janthina) — 37–43 cm. Entirely dark glossy purplish-black with green-and-purple iridescence; heavy yellow-red bill. Inhabits forests of the Japanese island chain from Kyushu south through the Ryukyus. Frugivore. Near Threatened; pressured by habitat loss and hunting.

Shining Imperial-pigeon

Shining Imperial-pigeon (Ducula chalconota), 38 cm. Richly iridescent bronze-green upperparts with a contrasting pale grey head and underparts. Found in montane forest of New Guinea from 700 to 2,200 m. Frugivore. Least Concern; common in hill and montane forest.

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