The Pied Imperial Pigeon (Ducula bicolor) is a medium-sized bird in the dove and pigeon family.

The Pied Imperial Pigeon is white with a narrow, dark-tipped blue-grey beak. It has dark grey-black feathers on its wings and tail. It has grey legs and black eyes. 

It measures about 30 centimetres (12 inches) long, with a wingspan of 38 centimetres (15 inches).

The Pied Imperial Pigeon is native to southeast Asia, in countries such as Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines. It prefers forests, woodlands, mangroves, scublands, and plantations, as well as islands and coastal regions. 

It eats seeds, berries, fruit, and insect larvae (grubs). 

It is usually seen alone or in pairs. 

The female makes a nest of leaves and grass in a bush or tree. She lays 1-2 eggs. Both parents sit on the eggs to incubate them. The eggs hatch after 13-18 days.

The chicks leave the nest within 14 days, and can fly after 21 days.

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM