Orange-breasted Green-pigeon
Treron bicinctus
Visual Identification
Appearance
The Orange-breasted Green-pigeon is a striking bird with predominantly green plumage. Males feature a distinctive orange breast band, grey head, and yellow belly, while their wings display black and yellow patterning.
Females lack the orange breast band and have a more uniform green colouration. Both sexes have red legs and feet and a pale grey beak with a greenish or bluish base.
Size
Length
25cm to 30cm
Wingspan
45cm to 50cm
Weight
150g to 200g
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
This species inhabits tropical and subtropical forests, including lowland rainforests and deciduous woodlands. It is found across parts of South and Southeast Asia, including India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and parts of Indonesia.
While primarily resident, some local movements may occur in response to fruit availability.
Elevation Range
Up to 1,500 meters
Climate zones
Tropical, Subtropical
Distribution Map
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Orange-breasted Green-pigeon. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
- Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
- This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations
We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:
- More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
- How birds move around during different seasons
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Share your thoughtsBird Attributes Explained
Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.
Attribute Categories:
- Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
- Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
- Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
- Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
- Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Understanding the Ratings:
- 0-20: Very Low
- 21-40: Low
- 41-60: Average
- 61-80: High
- 81-100: Very High
Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Agility
Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Highly agile amongst tree branches, with specialised feet allowing inverted feeding positions and precise movements through dense canopy. Their ability to manoeuvre whilst foraging for fruits demonstrates remarkable dexterity.
Strength
Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Moderate strength typical for a medium-sized pigeon. Whilst capable of sustained flight and fruit plucking, they aren't particularly powerful compared to other birds of similar size. Their lightweight frame (150-200g) prioritises agility over raw strength.
Adaptability
Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Shows good adaptability through their varied diet preferences and ability to thrive in different forest types up to 1,500m elevation. Their local movements following fruit availability further demonstrates environmental responsiveness, though they remain dependent on woodland habitats.
Aggressiveness
Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Generally peaceful birds that live in small flocks. Their courtship involves gentle displays and soft cooing rather than aggressive behaviours. They typically avoid confrontation except when defending nests.
Endurance
Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Demonstrates solid endurance through their ability to forage extensively throughout the day and make local movements following food sources. Their capacity to hang and manoeuvre for extended periods whilst feeding suggests decent stamina, though they're not known for particularly long-distance flights.
Diet
The Orange-breasted Green-pigeon primarily feeds on fruits, with a particular preference for figs. They use their specialised bills to pluck and swallow fruits whole. Occasionally, they supplement their diet with buds, shoots, and small invertebrates.
Behaviour
These pigeons are typically observed in small flocks, often perched high in fruiting trees. They are known for their agile movements among branches while foraging.
During courtship, males perform elaborate bowing displays and soft cooing to attract females.
Vocalisation
The Orange-breasted Green-pigeon has a soft, melodious call often described as a series of 'woo-woo' sounds.
During courtship, males produce a more elaborate cooing, sometimes accompanied by a gentle whistling note. Their calls are typically heard in the early morning or late afternoon.
Nesting & Breeding
Breeding typically occurs during the dry season, with timing varying across their range. Males attract females with cooing calls and bowing displays on tree branches.
Nests are simple platforms of twigs, usually placed in the fork of a tree or dense foliage. Females lay 1-2 white eggs per clutch.
Both parents share incubation duties, which last about 14 days. Chicks fledge after approximately 12-14 days but may remain dependent on parents for several more weeks.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
While currently listed as Least Concern, the Orange-breasted Green-pigeon faces threats from habitat loss due to deforestation.
Conservation efforts focus on protecting tropical and subtropical forests within their range, which is crucial for maintaining stable populations.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for them in fruiting trees, especially figs
- Listen for their soft, melodious calls in the early morning
- Observe their behaviour during the breeding season for courtship displays
- Use binoculars to spot their distinctive colouration high in the canopy
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Other names:
Orange-breasted Fruit Dove
Family:
ColumbidaePredators
Did You Know?
- Their green plumage provides excellent camouflage in leafy trees.
- They have specialised feet that allow them to hang upside-down while feeding on fruits.
- These pigeons play a crucial role in seed dispersal for many tropical tree species.
References
- 1
website: BirdLife International. 2024. Treron bicinctus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2024: e.T22691142A263964794.
View source - 2 3
report: Global Forest Watch 2022, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein
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