The Fruit Dove: One of Nature’s Sharpest Dressers

Before today, I had no idea Fruit Doves even existed. Now that I know, though, I’m the richer for it.

The fruit doves, also known as fruit pigeons, are a genus (Ptilinopus) in the pigeon and dove family (Columbidae). These colourful, frugivorous doves are found in forests and woodlands in Southeast Asia and Oceania. It is a large genus with about 50 species, some threatened or already extinct.

These small- to medium-sized doves generally have short, fan-shaped tails, and are remarkable for their colourful and often glossy plumage, as evidenced in the aptly named Orange Fruit Dove, Flame-breasted Fruit Dove, and Pink-headed Fruit Dove.

So, what’s your fancy?

Pink-headed?

Yellow-Breasted?

Jambu?

Orange?

That last one’s my favorite. Insanely vibrant. (And there are lots more. LOTS. And thanks to the various Wikiphotographers who put these pictures up. Everyone wins.)