Torresian Imperial-pigeon

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Local name Man Dun (Sansudi, Kuneff). Range Biak, Supiori, Owi, Mios Num, Yapen and many small islets. Taxonomy Formerly considered a race of Pied Imperial Pigeon D. melanura but split by del Hoyo & Collar (2014) and Beehler & Pratt (2016). Christidis & Boles (2008) highlighted the complexity of issues related to the various populations in this species group (Pied Imperial Pigeon D. bicolor, Torresian Imperial Pigeon D. spilorrhoa, Silver-tipped Imperial Pigeon D. luctuosa and Yellowish Imperial Pigeon D. subflavescens), which clearly merits re-analysis using molecular data (Beehler & Pratt 2016). Status Resident. Obtained by four collectors including Ripley who found it common in mangroves and up to 500 m. Infrequently seen by subsequent visitors. 29 August 2015: KDB saw a flock of five in flight over forest west of Biak town and 13 perched in tall mangrove forest at Tanjung Barai, at the eastern tip of Biak. 8 December 2016: KDB saw 20 flying into the tsunami swamp; 10 November 2017: three (A. Walker, eBird checklist S 46415319) and 5 August 2018 ten (S. Lorenz, eBird checklist S 47661085) at the latter site. 13 January 1994: five on Owi (P. Gregory in litt. 2000); July 2012 small numbers on a rocky islet off southern Biak (van Beirs 2012). Breeding Ripley found nests with eggs in mangroves in mid December (Mayr & Meyer de Schauensee 1939). 11 January 1997: a young bird was shown to SvB at Marauw. Mitchell (1989) noted the species nesting in October ‒ March on Kumbur and Nutabari in the Auri archipelago, south-east Teluk Cenderawasih. Recent observations in mangroves during December ‒ January may pertain to breeders like Ripley’s observations. Largely a seasonal migrant from north-east Australia (Beehler & Pratt 2016), but breeds in the Middle Sepik and on islands off south-east New Guinea (Coates 1985). These may be the only breeding records for Indonesian New Guinea.