Mountain Imperial Pigeon

The mountain imperial pigeon is the largest pigeon across much of its range, measuring 43–51 cm. It has a vinous-grey head, neck and underparts, a white throat, maroon-brown back and wings, slate underwings and a dark tail crossed by a grey band. Broad rounded wings, slow wingbeats and the combination of great size and maroon back are distinctive. Its deep booming call can be surprisingly hard to locate (Wikipedia, general species account).

It occupies montane evergreen and broadleaf forest from the Himalayas through mainland Southeast Asia to southern China and western Indonesia. Usually solitary or in small groups, it stays high in the canopy feeding on fruit, berries and figs and may travel up or down mountains between fruiting trees and roosts. Displaying birds bow, inflate the throat and make a steep rise followed by a glide. The nest normally holds one egg (Wikipedia, general species account).