Wompoo Fruit-Dove Ptilinopus magnificus Scientific name definitions

29–45 cm; c. 150–500 g (1 Higgins, P. J., and S. J. J. F. Davies, Editors (1996). Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Volume 3. Pratincoles to Pigeons. Oxford University Press, Melbourne, Australia. Close ). Large and long-tailed; head and neckgrey to greenish grey; mantle, rump and uppertail-coverts bright green with yellow tinge; wings mostly green, with yellow patches on central secondary-coverts forming a broken wing-bar on folded wing; narrow purple strip in centre of throat , broadening down neck; breast and upper belly deep purple; lower belly, vent and undertail-coverts mostly golden yellow; undertail pale grey; wing lining mostly orange-yellow, with some chestnut on greater primary-coverts; inner primaries green, outer ones greenish grey, grading to chestnut at base; bill orange-red with yellow tip; legs yellow-green. Sexes alike. Juvenile similar to adult, but with dull green cap and hindneck; duller and less extensive purple on underparts; and duller yellow on lower belly; bill dull yellow with orange base. Races vary in size and coloration, especially on the breast and under side of tail; race <em>puella</em> among smallest, with a brighter, redder breast.

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Editor's Note: Additional distribution information for this taxon can be found in the 'Subspecies' article above. In the future we will develop a range-wide distribution article.

Inhabits a variety of forest types: primary and well developed secondary rain forest, gallery forest and monsoon forest. In New Guinea , occurs from near sea-level up to 1400 m; commonest at lower elevations. In fragmented habitat in northern New South Wales is sometimes found in eucalypt forest and farmland in winter; this indicates the ability of the species to cross open country and use degraded habitat and native habitat other than rain forest.

In E Australia, some populations are sedentary; others undertake widespread movements in response to distribution of ripening fruit crops. Flight rapid but quite heavy, typically below canopy.

Frugivorous; eats a wide variety of fruits  ; a study in Papua New Guinea documented over 50 species of fruit in diet; most important plant families were figs (Moraceae), laurels (Lauraceae), palms (Arecaceae) and Annonaceae; figs and laurels were also very important in the diet of Australian populations, as were Elaeocarpaceae. This broad diet is probably an important factor in allowing the species to be generally sedentary. Feeds at all levels of the forest from understorey to canopy  , but probably most frequently in mid-levels and lower canopy. Typically feeds singly or in pairs; sometimes in small flocks. In New South Wales, Australia, unlike the Rose-crowned Fruit-dove Ptinilopus regina, the Wompoo Fruit-dove does not appear to have altered its behaviour to exploit weedy exotic vegetation and therefore does not seem to greatly benefit from the proliferation in northern NSW of species such as Camphor Laurel.

In New Guinea the advertising song is described as a low-pitched, throaty, two-note call 'hoowah-hoo', the first note disyllabic and upslurred, the second on a constant pitch (2 Pratt, T. K., and B. M. Beehler (2015) Birds of New Guinea. Second edition. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ, USA. Close ). In Australia the typical phrase is a deep, gruff, bubbling ‘wollack-a-woo’, ‘bok-bok-oo’ or a quieter ‘wompoo’; feeding birds produce shorter, sharp ‘pack pack’ sounds (3 Coates, B. J., and K. D. Bishop (1997). A Guide to the Birds of Wallacea: Sulawesi, The Moluccas and Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia. Dove Publications, Alderley, Queensland, Australia. Close ).

Mainly from middle of dry season to early wet season in both Papua New Guinea and E Australia, though some breeding probably occurs all year round. Nest is somewhat larger version of the typical Ptilinopus platform of twigs and vine tendrils. Average diameter in Australia 150 mm; placed on horizontal fork or palm frond, 3·6–7·6 m up; egg can usually be seen through nest from below. Time between nest completion and egg-laying highly variable, and may be as long as a month and a half. Lays 1 white egg; incubation period not determined exactly, but not less than 21 days; male incubates in day, female at night; if brooding bird disturbed, it usually falls almost vertically from nest and flies clumsily away, close to ground, undoubtedly a distraction display; fledging period in excess of 13–14 days. Nesting success reported to be very low in Papua New Guinea due to high predation.

Not globally threatened (Least Concern). Remains widespread and common to fairly common in many areas. However, the southernmost race, nominate magnifica, has declined severely and is now extinct through much of its former range due to habitat loss and overhunting; its most important stronghold is in the Border Ranges of S Queensland and N New South Wales; New South Wales population is estimated at over 7000 birds.