Shining Imperial-pigeon vs Grey-headed Quail-Dove

Ducula chalconota compared with Geotrygon caniceps

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Shining Imperial-pigeon Grey-headed Quail-Dove
Scientific Name Ducula chalconota Geotrygon caniceps
Order Columbiformes Columbiformes
Family Columbidae Columbidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Vulnerable
Length
Wingspan 42.4 cm (16.7 in) 29.7 cm (11.7 in)
Weight 553.5 g (19.52 oz) 201.0 g (7.09 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size -- 1-2
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Shining Imperial-pigeon only

None

Grey-headed Quail-Dove only

Song & Call Comparison

Shining Imperial-pigeon

Grey-headed Quail-Dove

Song

Soft, gentle cooing with grey-headed quality; pure warm notes through South American humid forest floor.

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Shining Imperial-pigeon

Vulnerable

Grey-headed Quail-Dove

How to Tell Them Apart

Shining Imperial-pigeon

Grey-headed Quail-Dove

Plumage

Grey-headed Quail-Dove: gray head; brown back; pale buff below; bare blue facial skin; rufous-buff flanks; Cuba endemic species

About These Birds

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.

Grey-headed Quail-Dove

Small quail-dove, 24–27 cm, with a grey head and neck, rufous-brown back, white facial stripe, and pinkish-buff underparts. Inhabits montane and lowland forests of Cuba and the Dominican Republic (Hispaniola). Terrestrial forager of seeds and fruits on the forest floor. Vulnerable due to restricted island ranges and deforestation.

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