Size: Between 380-420mm in length.
Identification: A bird with a with
a cream/white head, neck and breast. The wings and tail are black
with a purple sheen on the lower back. The eye is golden yellow with
a red outer ring. The bill is white with a white tip. Female birds of
the species are a little duller.
Call/Song: A drawn out call
of low-pitched coos. The breeding call is a deep, quivering coo-coo.
Sound:
Dave Stewart -used with permission
Distributed
along the east coast of Australia, from Cooktown to the Hunter River
in New South Wales.
Habitat:
Inhabits forests and woodlands.
Commonly found associated with stands of camphor laurels.
Feeding: Eats fruits, berries and
seeds.
Breeding/Nesting: Breeds
July to December and builds nests out of fine twigs and vine tendrils
in trees usually fairly close to the ground. Lays a single cream egg
which it incubates for 22 days.
Movement: Mainly found in trees
but sometimes can be seen feeding on the ground. It is a very secretive
bird.
|
Photo:
Queensland Museum
|
Other
Common Names: Baldy pigeon.
Status:
Distribution:Anywhere
in subtropical rainforest or dry rainforest at lower altitudes. Sightings
are usually by chance, however knowing the White-headed Pigeon's call is
of great assistance in locating it.
Abundance:
Numbers
fluctuate through the year, but it is generally uncommon.
Queensland Museum
(1995) Wildlife of Greater Brisbane, Queensland Museum, Brisbane.
Reader's Digest Services
(1979) Reader's Digest Complete Book of Australian Birds, Surry
Hills, NSW.
|
