Dwarf Fruit-Dove

About the Dwarf Fruit-Dove

The dwarf fruit dove (Ptilinopus nainus) is a species of bird in the family Columbidae. It is found in lowland and foothill forest in New Guinea and the Raja Ampat Islands. The dwarf fruit dove weighs 49 grams, about equivalent to the weight of two AA batteries. This bird is the shortest in length within the fruit dove genus, and perhaps the shortest columbid of all.

With a total length of 13–15 centimetres (5.1–5.9 in), it is the shortest pigeon or dove in the world, but as it is relatively stocky, this species is more massive than several other small doves, weighing at 49 grams (1.7 oz). Its plumage is overall green, but with contrasting yellow undertail coverts, and narrow bars to the wings. The inner wing-coverts and secondaries are more bluish in color compared to the rest of the body. This bluish-green coloring is most prominent on the scapulars; the body feathers that cover the top of the wing when the bird is at rest. The males have a dark purple patch on the belly and tend to have a gray patch on both sides of their upper breasts. The females look similar but lack these patches. Both males and females have a yellowish-green beak and purplish-red legs, in addition... Wikipedia →