Fun Yellow-footed Green Pigeon Facts For Kids

Rhea Nischal
Oct 20, 2022 By Rhea Nischal
Originally Published on Sep 02, 2021
Edited by Isobel Murphy
Fact-checked by Gowri Rao
Discover fun yellow-footed green pigeon facts about its feeding habits, habitat, range, and more!
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Age: 3-18
Read time: 6.0 Min

The yellow-footed green pigeon, Treron phoenicoptera, is a widespread species of pigeons that belongs to the family Columbidae and the genus Treron. It is also commonly known as the yellow-legged green pigeon, the hariyal, and the hola.

This bird species is common throughout its South Asian range, especially across India. It can also be seen in Sri Lanka, Pakistan, China, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia. It inhabits forests, parks, scrublands, orchards, and gardens in foothills and lowlands.

This species feeds upon fruit, mainly Ficus species, and birds forage together in flocks. Interestingly, they can often be seen sunbathing in the early morning on the treetops of dense forests.

It has a bright coloration and possesses yellow legs and an orange-yellow neck. It can be identified by its gray-colored strip present on each shoulder. Both males and females look similar to each other.

This bird is not really vocal, but it gives cooing whistles on occasion. Keep reading to get to know fun facts about the yellow-footed green pigeon breeding habits, population trends, feeding habits, and more!

If you had fun reading our yellow-footed green pigeon fun facts, you must read our Nicobar pigeon surprising facts and Victoria crowned pigeon interesting facts as well.

Yellow-footed Green Pigeon Interesting Facts

What type of animal is a yellow-footed green pigeon?

The yellow-footed green pigeon, Treron phoenicoptera, is a species of pigeon. This bird species feeds on fruit primarily.

It is an urban bird species that is quite common across its South Asian extent. It is a common sight in India, and can also be seen in Sri Lanka, Pakistan, China, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia. It has five subspecies: Treron phoenicopterus phillipsi, Treron phoenicopterus chlorigaster, Treron phoenicopterus phoenicopterus, Treron phoenicopterus viridifrons, and Treron phoenicopterus annamensis.

What class of animal does a yellow-footed green pigeon belong to?

The yellow-footed green pigeon, Treron phoenicoptera, belongs to the class of Aves like all other bird species.

How many yellow-footed green pigeons are there in the world?

The yellow-footed green pigeon, Treron phoenicoptera, is a common urban bird. Its population size has not been evaluated yet. However, we do know that its population trend is increasing. This bird species is reported to be widespread and common across its distribution range.

Where does a yellow-footed green pigeon live?

The yellow-legged green pigeon is a common bird species found across South Asia. It has five subspecies that have their own ranges.

The subspecies Treron phoenicopterus phillipsi can be seen in Sri Lanka. The subspecies Treron phoenicopterus chlorigaster can be seen across Pakistan and India.

The subspecies Treron phoenicopterus phoenicopterus can be found throughout north India from Himachal Pradesh towards Bangladesh and Assam, and Odisha and Madhya Pradesh. The subspecies Treron phoenicopterus viridifrons can be seen across China, Thailand, and Myanmar, and the subspecies Treron phoenicopterus annamensis can be seen in Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, and Thailand.

What is a yellow-footed green pigeon's habitat?

The yellow-legged green pigeon has been observed to inhabit forests, parks, scrublands, orchards, and gardens in foothills and lowlands. It even sunbathes in the early morning on the treetops of dense forest regions.

They are often spotted around Ficus trees as these are their primary source of food. This bird also migrates locally in search of fruit-bearing trees. During the winter season, populations of higher altitudes move to lower altitudes.

Who do yellow-footed green pigeons live with?

The yellow-footed green pigeon, Treron phoenicoptera, is known to forage in flocks. Couples are also seen together during the day, perched on tree branches.

How long does a yellow-footed green pigeon live?

The average yellow-footed green pigeon life span is not known yet.

How do they reproduce?

The yellow-legged green pigeon breeds between March and April in India. This extends to June in Bangladesh. It exhibits territorial qualities and a monogamous nature. They are known to nest in forks of tree branches or in shrubs.

They build a weak nest from leaves, twigs, grass, and sticks. The female usually lays two white eggs. Upon hatching, the chicks are given parental care and are nourished with crop milk. The chicks disperse after a while to establish new territories of their own.

What is their conservation status?

The yellow-footed green pigeon, Treron phoenicoptera, is a common urban bird that has a widespread population in South Asia. It has been classified under the Least Concern category by the IUCN.

Yellow-footed Green Pigeon Fun Facts

What do yellow-footed green pigeons look like?

The yellow-footed green pigeon, Treron phoenicoptera, is a medium-sized bird that ranges between 12.9-13.7 in (33-35 cm) in length and weighs between the range of 7.9-8.7 oz (226–248 g). Its nape, cheeks, and crown are bluish-gray in color along with a yellowish-green forehead.

The breast and throat of this bird are pale yellow-orange in color, and the underparts are pale. It possesses a yellow-mustard neck, yellow legs, and a creamy-white bill.

The upper parts of this bird are yellowish-green in color. It has pale mauve patches on each shoulder.

It has blackish secondaries and primaries that have light-yellow edges. The female of this species is duller when compared to the male and she even has a smaller mauve patch on her shoulder.

The name of the yellow-footed green pigeon partly originated from its bright green coloration!

How cute are they?

These birds are very cute. If observed closely it looks like they are giving an endearing smile! Their plumage coloration helps them in presenting a wonderful appearance.

How do they communicate?

The yellow-footed green pigeon (Treron phoenicoptera) is not very vocal. Its call is a mellow whistling sound that sounds like 'kwa-kow'.

How big is a yellow-footed green pigeon?

The yellow-footed green pigeon (Treron phoenicoptera) ranges between 12.9-13.7 in (33-35 cm) in length. Its size is similar to that of the tippler pigeon.

How fast can a yellow-footed green pigeon fly?

The speed of the yellow-footed green pigeon (Treron phoenicoptera) has not been evaluated yet. However, we do know that green pigeons are mainly resident birds that migrate locally in search of fruit-bearing trees, so perhaps they are not the fastest fliers.

How much does a yellow-footed green pigeon weigh?

The yellow-footed green pigeon (Treron phoenicoptera) weighs between the range of 7.9-8.7 oz (226–248 g). It is slightly lighter than the pink pigeon.

What are their male and female names of the species?

Like all other birds, males of this species can be referred to as 'cocks', and females as 'hens'.

What would you call a baby yellow-footed green pigeon?

A baby of these birds can be referred to as a chick or a fledgling.

What do they eat?

The typical yellow-footed green pigeon diet comprises fruits mainly. This species feeds upon fruits and is known to fly locally in flocks to forage. It prefers to feed on Ficus trees. The fledglings of these birds are often harassed by crows and common predators of pigeons are hawks, owls, and snakes.

Are they dangerous?

Yellow-footed green pigeons are not known to be dangerous to humans. They are quite shy.

Would they make a good pet?

The yellow-footed green pigeon has a shy temperament and would make a great pet. However, as it is a wild bird, it is best to let it fly in the open skies!

Did you know...

The yellow-footed green pigeon is the state bird of Maharashtra, India!

Trerons are a genus of birds in the pigeon family and they are often known as green pigeons.

Different types of pigeon

There are 344 species of pigeons in the world that make up the family of Columbidae. They can be classified into categories: utility, flying, fancy, or homing species.

Why are they called yellow-footed green pigeons?

The yellow-footed green pigeon, Treron phoenicoptera, is named so because of its green upper parts and its yellow legs and feet!

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! For more relatable content, check out these German nun pigeon fun facts and crested pigeon surprising facts.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable yellow footed green pigeon coloring pages.

Yellow-footed Green Pigeon Facts

What Did They Prey On?

Fruits

What Type of Animal were they?

Herbivores

Average Litter Size?

2 eggs

How Much Did They Weigh?

7.9-8.7 oz (226–248 g)

What habitat Do they Live In?

forest, parks, scrublands, orchards, and gardens in foothills and lowlands

Where Do They Live?

sri lanka, pakistan, india, china, myanmar, nepal, thailand, laos, vietnam, cambodia

How Long Were They?

12.9-13.7 in (33-35 cm)

How Tall Were They?

N/A

Class

Aves

Genus

Treron

Family

Columbidae

Scientific Name

Treron phoenicoptera

What Do They Look Like?

Yellow, green, bluish-gray, pale gray, pale mauve, black

Skin Type

Feathers

What Are Their Main Threats?

n/a

What is their Conservation Status?

Least Concern
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Written by Rhea Nischal

Bachelor of Business Administration specializing in Management

Rhea Nischal picture

Rhea NischalBachelor of Business Administration specializing in Management

A background in Business Administration and Management from MCM DAV College, Rhea has led her to work for her father's global business. However, her passion for content production, where she manages operations to ensure all processes run smoothly. Outside of work, she enjoys playing the piano and spending time with her one-year-old nephew.

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Fact-checked by Gowri Rao

Bachelor of Arts specializing in Economics

Gowri Rao picture

Gowri RaoBachelor of Arts specializing in Economics

With a bachelor's degree in Economics from Krea University, Gowri is a highly skilled data analyst and an expert in regression and causation modeling. Her interests in economic trends, finance, and investment research complement her professional expertise. In addition to her professional pursuits, Gowri enjoys swimming, running, and playing the drums, and she is also a talented tutor.

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