The Barking Pigeon Ducula latrans is Fiji's sole endemic and most conspicuous pigeon. It is conspicuous not just because of its large size - Ducula pigeons are often called Imperial Pigeons because of this, but also because of its loud barking call. Easily mistaken for a dog, this call is commonly heard in the remaining forests of Fiji's larger and many intermediate-sized islands, and also on some smaller islands with good forests not too far from larger islands. The Barking Pigeon has a ponderous but powerful flight and frequently perches conspicuously on bare branches. It specialises in feeding on large, hard fruits such as those of the palm Veitchia joannis, and some large nutmegs Myristica spp. Nutmegs are common, widely distributed and well evolved in Fijian forests, with five species. Barking pigeons swallow the fruit whole and the flesh (mace in the nutmeg) is removed in the gizzard before the 'stone' is regurgitated. To accomplish this, the gizzard of the Barking Pigeon is specially adapted with hard, horn-like projections which grind off the flesh. In regurgitating viable seeds, the Barking Pigeon plays a very important role in the forest ecosystem by assisting in the dispersal of forest trees.

The Pacific Pigeon Ducula pacifica is very widely distributed in the Pacific, from the coastal islands of Papua New Guinea, east to the Cook Islands and north to Kiribati. However, throughout this enormous range it is almost entirely confined to small islands, for instance, in Fiji it is not found on any island larger than Lakeba (56cm2). However, it seems that it is not island size which explains the absence of the Pacific Pigeon, rather it is the absence there of hawks of the genus Accipiter. Thus in Samoa, in the absence of these hawks, it is found on the large islands of Upolu and Savai'i.

The Pacific Pigeon figures prominently in folklore. This may be attributed to its former abundance, gregarious and garrulous nature, and nomadic habits. Flocks of Pacific Pigeons regularly move between islands in search of fruiting trees and such visits are annual events where the tree species fruits seasonally. There seems little doubt that the arrival of Europeans has had adverse effect on the numbers of the Pacific Pigeon and this is generally attributed to the introduction and use of firearms. This may well be true, but it seems very likely that the widespread and severe loss of beach forest habitat throughout the islands, because of its conversion to coconut plantations, has been a major cause of the decline of the Pacific Pigeon.

The White-throated Pigeon Columba vitiensis is also widespread in the southwest Pacific being found from Samoa through to Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and the Philippines. This is an attractive dark pigeon with a bright iridescent sheen in certain lights. In Fiji, it is common on the larger and many of the intermediate-sized islands but is the least conspicuous of the native pigeons. It is commonly called the Chilli Pigeon because of its fondness for feeding on chillies. Here it often encounters real problems, as chilli bushes are small and cannot usually bear the weight of hefty pigeons. In the mornings, White-throated Pigeons may be commonly seen on roads or tracks taking grit. Unlike the Ducula pigeons, Columba pigeons have a gizzard in which they store grit to help them grind down their food. The latter consists of small fruit, seeds and young shoots.

The Feral or Rock Pigeon Columba livia was first introduced to Fiji by missionaries in the 19th century but did not become well established until the 1950-60s. Today it is common in many towns and larger villages - still very much associated with human settlement and dependent on buildings for nesting sites.