Threatened Species Factsheet No. 14

VANUATU IMPERIAL PIGEON

What are they called?Scientific: Ducula bakeriEnglish: Vanuatu Mountain Pigeon or Baker’s imperial pigeonFrench: Carpophage de bakerBislama: NawimbaVernacular (Local name):Manutu (Nokovula, Santo) Gwona(Sungwadaga Maewo)

A little bit about them:

These birds are only foundin the large northern islandsof Vanuatu. These includethe Banks group, Santo,Maewo, Ambae, Pentecostand Ambrym.They prefer to live on hillsand montane forests onelevations of 300m+ abovesea level. They are usuallyseen alone or in pairs,sometimes in flocks up to 6individuals.These birds are fruitivorousmeaning they feed on thefleshy fruit and berries ofshrubs and native treessuch as figs (Nambanga).

What do they look like?These large pigeons grow to 40 cmand are dark grey in colour with apale blue-grey head and purplish-maroon breast. They have a long tailand long bill.

The adult has a glossy look while theyoung are dull. They have darkerpurple underside feathers, and donot have a black knob on their bill orwhite throat compared to theirsimilar relatives.

Did you know?• These pigeons are shy,

normally heard and rarely seen.

• Their call is a booming powerful twoo-hoo-hoo-hoooften repeated.

Source: Dubi Shapiro Photography

Vanuatu Imperial Pigeonsare classified asVulnerable (VU) on theIUCN Red List.Why are theythreatened?Ø Habitat destruction as

forests are cleared forlogging, gardens andcattle ranches.

Ø Predation by invasivespecies such as rats, cats,dogs and pigs.

Ø Popular target forhunters.

Ø Many are kept in cagesas pets making itimpossible for them tomeet and reproducewith other birds of thesame species.

What do they do for us:Ø They disperse seeds from

the fruit they eat, in theirdroppings.

Ø Their foraging andscratching on the forestfloor cycles nutrients in theforest ecosystem.

Ø Create eco-tourismopportunities through birdwatching sessions in themountains.

Ø They are an iconic bird forVanuatu because theyare not found anywhereelse.

ü Increase awareness ofthe threats to this speciesand discourage hunting.

ü Discourage pet keepingof wild birds, especiallythreatened species suchas the Vanuatu ImperialPigeon.

ü Castrate and spay petcats and dogs to reduceferal animals preying onadults, chicks and eggs.

Want to know more?v IUCN website:

www.iucnredlist.orgv Book: Birds of Melanesia

by Guy Dutson

What can we do for them?