This record was submitted by Richard White on 22 Apr 2026. All user submissions will be reviewed by the Records Committee. Entries listed here may be edited for brevity and clarity while the original record is left unchanged.
This record was submitted to the Records Committee for review.
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| Species | Mountain Imperial Pigeon Ducula badia |
|---|---|
| Record ID | 11471 |
| Date | 22 Apr 2026 |
| Location | CCNR |
| Count | 1 individual |
| Date added | 22 Apr 2026 |
This record remains under review by the Records Committee.
| Identification |
|---|
| During a routine watch from Jelutong Tower on a fairly quiet morning I saw a large bird flying towards us from the west (light behind us). Not so high, more or less head on and first impressions were of an imperial pigeon. Pied imperial pigeons have been increasing in numbers around the CCNR lately. For some reason, habit, I raised my binoculars to check it and immediately realized that it was darker, plainer, and clearly not a Pied imperial. I yelled at Francis to shoot this imperial pigeon and he obliged while I watched it as it flew overhead and away to the north-east until it was lost from view among the trees. Views were primarily from below and the rear - far from ideal. And by the time the bird was gone I was unable to determine whether the bird was a Green imperial or Mountain imperial. Either would be new for the site, one nationally far more significant. We tried reviewing images in the field and shared one with the local chat group thinking that Mountain imperial was possible. Subsequent analysis of the images show features consistent with Mountain imperial. In the attached images both MIP 01 and 02 show some contrast between the crown and throat - paler on the throat which is in favour of Mountain imperial since Green imperial tends to have a more uniform head colour. Both MIP 01 and 02 show a pale iris (clearer in MIP 02) - which is a feature of Mountain imperial not shown by Green imperial. Attached images MIP 01 and MIP 02 by Francis Yap. |
| Habitat/behaviour |
|---|
| Bulky pigeon flying slowly but steadily over the forest of the central catchment. |
| Viewing conditions |
|---|
| OK light from behind but one of those flat, grey, days rather than brightly sunlit. |
| Observer's experience |
|---|
| Seen on overseas trips in the region. First time in Singapore. |
| Observer's experience w/similar species |
|---|
| Many imperial pigeons across their range. Green imperial pigeon locally the most likely confusion species.MIP 02 |
Bird Society of Singapore. (2026). Record 11471: Mountain Imperial Pigeon Ducula badia. Retrieved April 23, 2026, from https://records.singaporebirds.com/record/11471/.