Torresian Imperial-Pigeon

Torresian Imperial-Pigeon

Ducula spilorrhoa

Silhouette: Sheatherius · PhyloPic

LCLeast ConcernNTVUENCR
Daily sighting probability ~50% · Likely
at Daintree National Park

In 3 days ~80% in a week >90%

986 Verified sightings at Daintree National Park From 2019 to 2026
1,356 In all 4 parks
December Best month
☀️ Diurnal When it's spotted

About the Torresian Imperial-Pigeon

The Torresian imperial pigeon (Ducula spilorrhoa), also known as the nutmeg pigeon, white nutmeg pigeon, Australian pied imperial pigeon or Torres Strait pigeon (Meriam Mir: deumer), is a relatively large, pied species of pigeon. It is found in forest, woodland, savanna, mangrove and scrub in Australia (north-east Western Australia, north Northern Territory and north Queensland, including the Torres Strait Islands), New Guinea, Aru Islands, islands in the Geelvink Bay, D'Entrecasteaux Islands and Louisiade Archipelago.

It has been recorded as a vagrant in New South Wales, Australia. As far as known, most populations are resident or only take part in minor local movements. The population in Queensland leaves for New Guinea in February–April and returns in July–August.

The Torresian imperial pigeon is a large plump pigeon, 38–44 centimetres (15–17.5 inches) in length, and with a 45 cm (18 in) wingspan. It is entirely white or pale cream, apart from the black flight feathers (remiges), part of the tail (rectrices) and spots on the undertail coverts. The head can be brown, soiled by eating fruit.

The flight of the pigeon is fast and direct, with the regular... Wikipedia →

Sounds

Song0:16

Australia · 2025

© Étienne Leroy · XC1070740 · CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Begging call0:55

Australia · 2023

© James Lambert · XC837544 · CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Call0:25

Australia · 2013

© Marc Anderson · XC337537 · CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Global Distribution

Parks Where Found

# Park Country Daily sighting probability
1 Daintree National Park 🇦🇺 Australia
~50%
2 Litchfield National Park 🇦🇺 Australia
~20%
3 Kakadu National Park 🇦🇺 Australia
~20%
4 Nitmiluk National Park 🇦🇺 Australia
<5%

Zoos & Centres Where Found

# Zoo / Centre Country
1 Ragunan Zoo 🇮🇩 Indonesia In captivity
2 Australia Zoo 🇦🇺 Australia In captivity
3 Parc des oiseaux 🇫🇷 France In captivity
4 Minnesota Zoo 🇺🇸 United States In captivity
5 Healesville Sanctuary 🇦🇺 Australia In captivity
6 Taronga Zoo 🇦🇺 Australia In captivity
7 Melbourne Zoo 🇦🇺 Australia In captivity
8 Adelaide Zoo 🇦🇺 Australia In captivity
9 Touroparc Zoo 🇫🇷 France In captivity
10 Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens 🇨🇳 China In captivity
11 Australian Reptile Park 🇦🇺 Australia In captivity
12 Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park 🇦🇺 Australia In captivity
13 Ipswich Nature Centre 🇦🇺 Australia In captivity
14 Randers Tropical Zoo 🇩🇰 Denmark In captivity
15 Edward Youde Aviary 🇭🇰 Hong Kong SAR China In captivity
16 Fauna Reserve 🇦🇺 Australia In captivity
17 National Aquarium 🇺🇸 United States In captivity
18 Birdworld Kuranda 🇦🇺 Australia In captivity
19 Kuranda Koala Gardens 🇦🇺 Australia In captivity
20 Caversham Wildlife Park 🇦🇺 Australia In captivity
21 Ranger Red’s Zoo & Conservation Park 🇦🇺 Australia In captivity
22 Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas 🇦🇺 Australia In captivity

Before you go

What are the chances of seeing a Torresian Imperial-Pigeon in Daintree National Park?

Likely

About 50% of wildlife watchers report a Torresian Imperial-Pigeon sighting in Daintree National Park on a given day, based on 986 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data from 2019 to 2026. It is the 22nd most-seen of the 208 birds we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 80%, and over a week to over 90%, if each day is a fresh chance.

When is the best time to see a Torresian Imperial-Pigeon in Daintree National Park?

October to December

In those months about 80% of wildlife watchers report a Torresian Imperial-Pigeon in Daintree National Park on a given day, against under 5% in July, the lowest month.

What time of day is best to see a Torresian Imperial-Pigeon?

Between 7 and 10 am

Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most Torresian Imperial-Pigeon sightings with a recorded time, and about 9 in 10 of them come between 6 am and 6 pm: it is a daytime animal.

Is Daintree National Park the best place to see a Torresian Imperial-Pigeon?

Yes

Of the 4 parks where we can rate Torresian Imperial-Pigeon sightings, Daintree National Park has the highest daily chance: about 50%. Next come Litchfield National Park (Australia, about 20%) and Kakadu National Park (Australia, about 20%).

Which relatives of the Torresian Imperial-Pigeon live in Daintree National Park?

Same family: Columbidae

The closest relatives of the Torresian Imperial-Pigeon that you can see in Daintree National Park (family Columbidae, Pigeons and Doves) are Bar-shouldered Dove (about 50%), Wompoo Fruit Dove (about 50%) and Brown Cuckoo-Dove (about 20%), with each one's daily chance of a sighting.

Where does the Torresian Imperial-Pigeon sighting chance come from?

GBIF citizen-science records

It is estimated from how often the Torresian Imperial-Pigeon is recorded against all the birds logged in Daintree National Park (986 verified sightings from 2019 to 2026), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.

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