Mostly Described as the Pinnacle of Avian Beauty, a Dove Covered in a Mesmerizing Attire of Burnished Gold and a Striking Yellow Sheen
A lot of people think doves only come in plain white or gray, but the golden fruit dove proves otherwise. With its burnished gold feathers and bright yellow sheen, this bird looks almost unreal at first glance.
Native to several islands in Western Fiji, the golden fruit dove is also called the yellow dove or lemon dove. Its long, slender breast feathers and vivid coloring make the male especially eye-catching, with a pale green-tinged head and bluish-green skin around the eyes and legs.
It is one of those birds that seems too striking to be real, and the rest of its fruit dove relatives are just as interesting.
Meet the Golden Fruit Dove...
Its feathers are so long and slender around the chest and wings that they give the appearance of a golden mane, proud and fluffy. It truly makes you want to pet it.
Isn't She Adorable?
The female golden fruit doves can be easily distinguished from the males, as they have dark green plumage spotted with occasional yellow feathers. Juvenile golden fruit doves generally resemble the females.
This golden-feathered dove vibe is similar to the Akhal-Teke that looks like it was bathed in gold.
Striking Dove...
The golden fruit dove is rarely seen close to the ground; it typically inhabits open forests, gallery woodlands, and secondary growth. These birds can also be found in mature rainforests with tall trees, as well as in populated areas such as villages and cities.
The Orange Fruit Dove...
The golden fruit dove certainly knows how to put on a colorful show, and its cousins, the whistling fruit dove and the orange dove, can also impress with their various shades. The orange fruit dove, scientifically known as Ptilinopus victor, shares the golden fruit dove's long, "hair-like" body feathers.
However, the orange fruit dove is bright orange and is distinguished by its olive-hued head. It resembles its golden cousin overall, but it resides on various Fiji islands, including Kioa, Laucala, Levu, Vanua, Qamea, Rabi, and Taveuni islands.
The Whistling Fruit Dove...
Meanwhile, the whistling fruit dove, or velvet dove, scientifically called Ptilinopus layardi, is equally striking. Like its cousins, it has golden-hued upperparts, with a contrasting head that is dazzling yellow.
The velvet dove is classified by the IUCN as "Near Threatened," while the golden and orange doves are listed as species of "Least Concern."
If you enjoyed learning about this dazzling type of dove and its cousins, please leave your comments below. Also, share this article with all your bird-loving family and friends.
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