The Mariana Fruit-Dove (Ptilinopus roseicapilla) is a small, vividly colored dove found only in the Mariana Islands of the western Pacific. Its body is cloaked in bright green, with a soft gray head and a striking rose-pink crown and chest patch that gives the species its name.
As a vital seed disperser, this dove plays an essential role in regenerating native forests by spreading the fruits it consumes. It thrives in forest canopies, moving quietly among branches, yet its soft cooing calls reveal its presence.
Sadly, the Mariana Fruit-Dove has suffered steep declines due to habitat loss and invasive predators such as the brown tree snake, which devastated bird populations on Guam. Today, the species survives mainly on islands like Saipan, Tinian, and Rota, and it is officially listed as Near Threatened.
For the Chamorro people, the bird is not only ecologically important but also culturally significant, appearing in art and traditions as a symbol of beauty and resilience. Conservation efforts — including captive breeding and habitat protection — are now crucial to ensure that this island jewel continues to brighten the forests of the Marianas.
