Wompoo Fruit-Dove

I was on the first flight into Cairns, Queensland after cyclone Yasi in February 2011 and it was a few days later that I spied this bird in the garden.  It is a Wompoo Fruit - Dove.  It is fairly rare for it to be on the ground however it probably was trying to find food.

 The dove measure up to 14 to 18 inches, but are generally far smaller in northern regions. It has purple plumage around its neck, chest and upper belly.  Its lower belly is yellow and has a green underparts.  The sexes look similar and the juveniles have a duller and greener plumage compared to adults. Notwithstanding their bright plumage, they are hard to see amongst the forest canopy, thanks to their unobtrusive, quiet habits.  Their call sounds like wollack-wa-hoo and often sounds very human.

 The Wompoo Fruit Dove can be seen in large flocks where food is abundant.  The birds feed off fruit-bearing trees in rain forests such as figs. They also occasionally eat insects. They can eat large fruits whole and are able to acrobatically collect fruit of trees and vines. They do not like to travel long distances, preferring to stay in their local area and make use of whatever fruit are in season. 

The diet of this species was extensively studied in the Port Moresby area.  Despite their small size, they are able to swallow fruits of a diameter of about 2 cm in spherical fruit.

Major food items included: figs, fruit of cinnamon trees, palm fruit, Annonaceae fruit, such as Ylang-ylang (Cananga odorata) and Polyalthia - whenever available.

Breeding times will vary according to weather conditions. The nest is sturdily constructed from forked twigs not high from the ground. Both sexes help in the construction of the nest. One white egg is laid and the parents share the incubation and care of the chick. In the event, that the chick dies, the doves will attempt to have a second offspring in the same season.

I know the photographs are not up to great quality however I was delighted to have seen this bird and I never saw it again.  Most of my Australian friends could not believe I had it in the garden so it was fortunate I had taken these shots of it to show them!

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I amlinking this post with WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY