Atoll Fruit-Dove Ptilinopus coralensis Scientific name definitions

22–24 cm; 70–99 g. Tends to appear slender compared to its close allies. Pale olive green upperparts , with coppery highlights; forehead almost white at base of bill, lavender on crown , with a thin greyish yellow posterior border; head and breast grey, shading to grey-green on lower breast; ventral areas yellow; tail narrowly tipped silvery white; iris red; bill yellow; legs coral red. Sexes alike. Juvenile lacks lavender crown and grey neck , and has yellow fringes on feathers of crown, back, lesser wing-coverts and breast .

The only extant fruit-dove found exclusively on low coral atolls ; archaeological evidence indicates that other Pacific atolls were once commonly inhabited by Ptilinopus and Ducula species, but few of these populations survive. Found in woodland, scrub and old, overgrown coconut plantations.

A mixed diet of insects, seeds and fruit, very unusual for a member of this genus; one has even been observed capturing and feeding on a small lizard; the diet reflects the limited availability of fruit on its atoll habitat. Insects are pecked from foliage and the ground with a quick darting motion; much foraging is done on the ground .

Advertising call is a cooing phrase of c. 7–8 seconds, starting with alternating single and slightly higher-pitched double coos, and ending with six coos of about equal length, which alternate over a subtly higher and lower pitch, “whoo..whu-coo..huwoo...whu-coo..hwoo-woo-hwoo-woo-hwoo-woo”.

Juvenile specimens have been collected in Feb and May; juveniles moulting into adult plumage in Feb, Mar, May and Sept. Nest not definitely described; the only information is a report of an old nest, identified by a Rangiroa native as belonging to this species; it was a typical flimsy dove’s nest, placed in scrub; the informant reported that the species laid one pale brown egg, but this requires confirmation, as all congenerics have white eggs.

Not globally threatened. Currently considered Near Threatened. Widespread and reported to be common on uninhabited atolls but scarce on inhabited ones. Generally encountered only in ones and twos (1 Blanvillain, C., Florent, C. and Thenot, V. (2002). Land birds of Tuamotu Archipelago, Polynesia: relative abundance and changes during the 2216th century with particular reference to the critically endangered Polynesian Ground-dove (Gallicolumba erythroptera). Biological Conservation. 103: 139–149. Close ).Atolls are fragile environments, and the species is vulnerable to habitat destruction, especially for conversion to coconut plantations; introduced predators are also a threat, as species is tame on uninhabited islets, allowing close approach before flying a short distance.