• Summary
• Text account
• Data table and detailed info
• Distribution map
• Reference and further resources

Justification of Red List category
Poorly known. This species has a small range and a suspected small population size numbering only 800-3,000 mature individuals. It therefore approaches, but does not meet, the thresholds for listing as threatened under the population size criterion. While habitat loss and hunting are plausible threats, there is little evidence that the species is declining, hence it does not meet or approach the thresholds for listing as threatened under any other criterion. It is therefore evaluated as Near Threatened.

Population justification
Described as scarce and local (Allen 2020). The population size of this species has not previously been estimated formally. In its range approximately 650 km² of forest remains (at 700-2,000 m elevation), although only 270 km² of this is at its favoured elevation (<1,000 m) (data from Jung et al. [2020], analysed using sRedList [2023]). On Mt Halcon it evidently remains quite common, with up to 25 being observed in a single day (eBird 2024) but in other forests, including some at suitable altitude, scant survey effort has found it to be comparatively scarce (Dutson et al. 1992, eBird 2024). In the absence of any other data, a precautionary population size of 800-3,000 mature individuals is suspected, although this represents little more than an arbitrary range based on plausible densities generated from survey effort and the density of congeners.

Trend justification
The only plausible threats to this species are habitat loss and degradation, and hunting. Remote sensing data over the past three generations (21 years: 2002-2023) indicate almost no loss (<1%) in the extent of closed-canopy forest within its range; indeed, in this time period there has been a slight increase in canopy extent of c.3%, although this is unlikely to have increased the species' abundance (Jung et al. 2020, and Global Forest Watch 2024 based on data from Hansen et al. [2013] and methods therein). Moreover, forest in its range looks to be intact with little evidence of degradation (Grantham et al. 2020). Consequently habitat loss and degradation are not thought to be causing any declines in this species presently. Hunting is an entirely unknown and unquantified threat, although it is noted that visits to suitable habitat in 1991 (Dutson et al. 1992) and 2015 (eBird 2024) appeared to find it similarly common. Given uncertainty on the extent and acuity of hunting as a threat, the overall global trend of this species is considered Unknown, although it is probably unlikely to be declining rapidly.

Ducula mindorensis is endemic to the island of Mindoro in the Philippines, where it is known from several localities in the central mountains (although it was presumably once present throughout the highlands).

At least formerly it was usually found in forest above 1,000 m, with records spanning 700-1,830 m. However, during fieldwork in 1991, most observations were made in understorey trees of the lowest-altitude forest remaining (between 800-950 m), with only two noted above 1,000 m. It conceivably undertakes seasonal or nomadic movements in response to changes in food supply.

Forest destruction and hunting for food (Ducula pigeons are common targets for subsistence hunters throughout the Philippines) are the most significant threats. While forest was historically cleared in Mindoro's lowlands (i.e. at the lowest altitudes of this species' range), there is little to no evidence that this has continued: remote sensing data since 2000 indicate almost no forest cover loss within its range; indeed in this time period there has been a slight increase in canopy extent of c.3% (Jung et al. 2020, and Global Forest Watch 2024 based on data from Hansen et al. [2013] and methods therein). As a montane-favouring species, it may be affected by climate change.

Conservation Actions Underway
CITES Appendix I. In 1964, the species was removed from the list of game birds, and soon afterwards was afforded legal protection, although actual enforcement of this legislation is ineffectual. A small population probably persists in the mostly grassland Mt Iglit-Baco National Park.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct surveys (using vocalisations as an aid to detection and making sound recordings) in remaining submontane and montane forests on Mindoro, to clarify its current status. Research its ecology, including determining food sources, tree phenology and seasonal movements. Propose all remaining forest on Mt Halcon for improved protected status.

47 cm. Large, montane pigeon. Light blue-grey head, neck and most of underparts, washed rufous on vent and undertail-coverts. Pinkish forehead, lower face and throat. Red orbital skin surrounded by blackish ring which extends into short post-ocular stripe. Bronzy-red hindneck and mantle, emerald-green lower back, rump and wings, bronzy-red inner wing-coverts edged. Blackish-green flight feathers and tail with pale grey central tail-band. Yellow iris, dark bill, reddish legs. Similar spp. Pink-bellied Imperial-pigeon D. poliocephala is smaller and shows prominent, dark breast-band. Voice Undocumented. 

Text account compilers
Berryman, A.

Contributors
Allen, D. & Dutson, G.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Mindoro Imperial-pigeon Ducula mindorensis. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/mindoro-imperial-pigeon-ducula-mindorensis on 22/11/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 22/11/2024.