Collared Imperial-Pigeon — Australian Bird Identification Guide

Bird guideCollared Imperial-Pigeon

The large, nomadic pigeon of mangroves and riverine forests.

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⚠️Not listed

At a glance

FamilyPigeons and Doves

SizeMedium

RarityRare

HabitatIt inhabits lowland rainforest, swamp forest, mangroves and riverine vegetation.

Best timeMost reliable in Queensland from February.

Sounds

Sound sample

0:000:00

Recorded by Powys, V.

Range map

Occurrence window

6visible hotspots

363visible records

0states

Low confidenceMediumHigh confidence

Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.

Species notes

Overview

Note the distinctive, full black collar that narrows at the front and meets the maroon back. Black tail with white band across. Unmistakable when seen perched, but in flight similar to Pinon’s Imperial-Pigeon. Collared Imperial-Pigeon is much more likely in mangroves.

Behavior

Small flocks often seen in flight or perched up on exposed branches. Call, a deep, muffled “woo-oo pooo” with the first 2-note call falling and the last, lower in pitch.

Gallery

Regional timing

Queensland

Peak: February363 records

Commonly confused with

Superb Fruit-DovePtilinopus superbusMales have a thick black chest band and purple crown. Occurs in eastern Indonesia, New Guinea, and down the east coast of Australia (where it is more common in the north).→Bar-shouldered DoveGeopelia humeralisJuveniles have a less obvious patch on the neck, and with more muted plumage and an eye-line could be confused with the much larger Common Bronzewing. This species is abundant in woodlands, towns, parks and gardens in northern Australia.→Pacific Emerald DoveChalcophaps longirostrisNote chocolate-brown body. Song is an accelerating and rising series of mournful coos.→