Distribution and Status of the Torresian Imperial Pigeon Ducula spilorrhoa in North-eastern Queensland: Cooktown to Cape York

Abstract

The sizes of 95 Torresian Imperial Pigeon colonies were estimated on 139 islands between Cooktown and Cape York, Queensland. Six colonies exceeded 10 000 pairs, 29 contained between 1000 and 10 000 pairs, 60 colonies contained fewer than 1000 pairs, and 44 islands had no breeding. Mangroves are the preferred breeding habitat and coastal low wooded islands support most of the largest colonies and breeding population. The status of the study area population is compared with those in the rest of Queensland, the Northem Territory and Western Australia. The area between Cooktown and Cape York supports the largest population and colonies of Torresian Imperial Pigeons in tropical Australia, and has large areas of undisturbed mainland rainforest feeding habitat. Current levels of protection of the species are examined. Management procedures should include: protection of the major colony islands and feeding habitat north of Cooktown; prevention of hunting and human disturbance; and a joint approach with Paupa New Guinea and Indonesia to manage this migratory species.