Photo by ShyniM of Avibase

The Mindoro Imperial-pigeon (Ducula mindorensis) is endemic to the island of Mindoro in the Philippines, where it is known from seven localities in the central mountains (although it was presumably once present throughout the highlands).

It is a large, montane pigeon with light blue-grey head, neck and most of underparts, washed rufous on vent and undertail-coverts.

It has a pinkish forehead, lower face and throat. The red orbital skin is surrounded by blackish ring which extends into short post-ocular stripe. Blackish-green flight feathers and tail with pale grey central tail-band. Yellow iris, dark bill, reddish legs.

It has been uplisted to Endangered owing to a recent assessment of available habitat which indicated that its range and population, both of which are declining as a result of the continuing rapid reduction in the extent and quality of forest, were much smaller than previously thought.

Threats

Forest destruction and hunting for food (Ducula pigeons are common targets for subsistence hunters throughout the Philippines) are the most significant threats. Logging and shifting cultivation continue to reduce lower-altitude forests at key sites such as Mt. Halcon and San Vicente.

Conservation Measures

In 1964, the species was removed from the list of game birds, and soon afterward was afforded legal protection, although actual enforcement of this legislation is ineffectual. A tiny population may persist in the predominantly grassland Mt Iglit-Baco National Park.

Surveys in the remaining sub-montane and montane forests on Mindoro was proposed, to clarify its current status. It was also proposed that all remaining forest on Mt Halcon for improved protected status.

*Sources: Birdlife, IUCN