To continue the previous edition in the title “ Birds of Solomon Islands 2005 (Part 2)- Pigeon” , detail of each stamps which depicted the endemic pigeon species such as : Red-knobbed Imperial Pigeon (Ducula rubricera), Yellow-bibbed Fruit Dove (Ptilinopus solomonensis) , Claret-breasted Fruit Dove (Ptilinopus viridis), Nicobar Pigeon (Caloenas nicobarica), Stephan's Emerald Dove (Chalcophaps stephani) and Crested Cuckoo-Dove (Reinwardtoena crassirostris) described as follow :
Red-knobbed Imperial Pigeon (Ducula rubricera)
Ducula rubricera is widely distributed in Papua New Guinea and on nearly all forested islands in the Solomon Islands. Although it is still common where extensive forest remains, it is much rarer in degraded habitats.
It is a large robust pigeon ( 40 cm) with pale upper back, head, neck, throat and breast. Distinctive large reddish (occasionally yellowish) cere above bill. Wing-coverts iridescent emerald, bronzy or golden green with darker secondary and tail feathers tainted bluish.Primaries blackish-blue and the color of under-wing is dull grey. The Legs are purplish-red.Juvenile resembles adult but lacking red cere.
