The yellow-footed green pigeon (Treron phoenicopterus) is a beautiful and colorful bird that belongs to the family Columbidae, which includes pigeons and doves. It is also known as the yellow-legged green pigeon, and it is the state bird of Maharashtra, a state in India. In this article, we will learn more about this fascinating bird, its distribution, habitat, diet, behavior, and cultural significance.

The yellow-footed green pigeon is found in the Indian subcontinent and parts of Southeast Asia1. It occurs in countries such as India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Malaysia2. It prefers lowland forest and forest edge, as well as parks, gardens, and orchards. It is a common urban bird in much of its South Asian range.

The yellow-footed green pigeon feeds mainly on fruits of a large variety of fruit trees, especially figs. It forages in flocks, often hanging upside down from branches to reach the fruits2. It is not very vocal, but occasionally gives cooing whistles. It is also known to sunbathe in the early morning on the tops of emergent trees in dense forest areas, especially banyan trees.

The yellow-footed green pigeon has a special place in the culture and folklore of some regions where it lives. In Maharashtra, it is the state bird, and it is called Haroli or Hariyal in Marathi1. It is also known as Haitha in Upper Assam and Haitol in Lower Assam, where it is associated with the goddess Lakshmi and is considered auspicious1. In Myanmar, it is called Kyet-tha-hin, which means “the bird that eats fire”, because of its bright colors and its habit of sunning itself.

The yellow-footed green pigeon is a remarkable bird that deserves our attention and admiration. It is a symbol of nature’s diversity and beauty, and a source of inspiration and joy for many people. We hope that this article has given you some interesting information and insights about this amazing bird.