The many species of this genus can be further grouped by geography and by certain shared characteristics. The fruit doves of the Sunda Islands and northern Australia, such as the pink-headed fruit dove andbanded fruit dove, have comparatively longer tails than other species, and are notable for their solid colouration on the head, neck and breast, with a black band across the belly. Another grouping can be made of certain fruit dovesendemic to New Guinea, theMoluccas, and theBismarck Archipelago, including thecarunculated fruit dove, knob-billed fruit dove, and others; these are notable for their grey colouration on the head or shoulder and/or enlarged cere (part of the bill). This group is uncharacteristically notsexually dimorphic, meaning males and females look alike. The orange dove,golden dove, andwhistling dove, all endemic toFiji and sometimes placed in their own genusChrysoena, have in common their small size, compact shape, yellow or orange colouration in the males, and hair-like body feathers. They also are known for their rather un-pigeon-like vocalizations, which sound like snapping, barking, or whistling, respectively.[4] Finally, the Pacific Islands provide homes to a number of species that share generally green colouration with crimson caps or crowns, ventriloquial cooing or hooting, and a distinct texture of the breast feathers.[5] Recent evidence suggestsPtilinopus as presently defined isparaphyletic asAlectroenas andDrepanoptila are embedded within it.[6]
These small- to medium-sized doves generally have short, fan-shaped tails,[5] and are remarkable for their colourful and often glossy plumage, as evidenced in the aptly namedorange fruit dove,flame-breasted fruit dove, andpink-headed fruit dove.[4] Males and females of many fruit dove species look very different. For example, the femalemany-colored fruit dove shares the male's crimson crown and deep pink undertail feathers, but is otherwise green, whereas the male has a crimson on the upper back and has areas of yellow, olive, cinnamon, and grey.[4][5]
Fruit doves, as their name implies, eat fruit.Ficus is especially important.[5] They live in various kinds of forest or woodland. Some species are restricted toprimary forest, such as lowlandrainforest, montane forest, or monsoon forest, while others prefersecondary forest or disturbed areas. Some species specialize in particular habitats, from lowland coastal forest to thecloud forest or moss forest of high altitudes. Some species of fruit doves are only found in habitats dominated by particular plants, such asmangrove,eucalyptus, orpandanus. Only a few species can commonly be seen around human habitation, these include theknob-billed fruit dove,Makatea fruit dove, andblack-naped fruit dove, which are known to visit gardens and such.[4]
Much is still to be learned about fruit doves. Many species are shy and difficult to observe in their natural habitat. For example, there are several species in the Philippines, and for most of them, little or nothing is known of their breeding or nesting behavior.[9]
^abcdGibbs, David; Barnes, Eustace; Cox, John (2001).Pigeons and Doves: A Guide to the Pigeons and Doves of the World. Yale University Press. pp. 120–144,457–521.ISBN0-300-07886-2.
^abcdPratt, H. Douglas (1987).The Birds of Hawaii and the Tropical Pacific. Princeton University Press. pp. 196,201–202.ISBN0-691-02399-9.
^Gibb, G.C.; Penny, D. (2010). "Two aspects along the continuum of pigeon evolution: a South-Pacific radiation and the relationship of pigeons within Neoaves".Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution.56 (2):698–706.doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2010.04.016.PMID20399870.
^Gill, Frank; Donsker, David;Rasmussen, Pamela, eds. (2020)."Pigeons".IOC World Bird List Version 10.1. International Ornithologists' Union. Retrieved11 March 2020.
^Kennedy, Robert S.; Gonzales, Pedro C.; Dickinson, Edward C.; Miranda, Hector C. Jr.; Fisher, Timothy H. (2000).A Guide to the Birds of the Philippines. Oxford University Press. pp. 138–141.ISBN0-19-854668-8.
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