42 Australian Geographic
White-headed
pigeon
Columba leucomela Length: 40cmOne of our largest pigeons, it favours
rainforest margins from Cooktown in
far north QLD to the VIC–NSW border; it
has also been seen in south-central VIC
and on Flinders Island in Bass Strait. It
has compensated for the loss of some
of its natural foods by eating the fruits
of the introduced camphor laurel and
seems to be increasing in numbers.videos posted online by villagers from
exotic locations in Turkey, Uzbekistan
and other places of legend – where the
local inhabitants are no doubt equally
thrilled at the sight of the strange
breeds kept in the West.
The domestic pigeon descended
from the blue rock dove of the region
around the Middle East and North
Africa. It was, however, in Gondwana
that it first diversified into what is now
a very large family. More than 300
species of doves and pigeons are now
known worldwide. The group is found
in almost every region of the planet –
excluding high altitudes and latitudes
- with the most diversity occurring in
the tropics. Australia is very rich in
pigeons, being home to 35 species,
including four that are introduced, five
vagrants and two known only as
non-breeding visitors.
The names pigeon and dove are
interchangeable, the former coming
from Norman French, the latter being
of Germanic origin. Over time, ‘dove’
became used for the smaller species
and ‘pigeon’ for the larger, although
religious texts and romantic poets
always prefer dove.
Our native pigeons are a diverse lot.
They inhabit almost every part of our
continent, from the ancient, sun-
ravaged rocks of the Pilbara to the
rainforests of our east coast. They
range in size from the tiny diamond
dove (only 21cm in length, including its
rather long tail), to the flamboyantly
coiffed topknot pigeon (which at 43cm
is among our largest). Many, such as the
fruit doves, rival the brightest of our
parrots for colourful plumage.
One reason for the family’s success
is the effort expended raising young.
Both parents share incubation and
feeding, and, for the first few days of
their lives, chicks are fed pigeon ‘milk’.
Formed on the lining of a pouch called
the crop in the adult’s throat, thisSpinifex pigeon
Geophaps plumifera Length: 20cmTravellers on WA’s Canning Stock Route
will be familiar with this small pigeon,
which is relatively common in Australia’s
arid inland wherever there are suitable
seed-bearing plants and reliable water.
What it lacks in size it makes up for with
a startling crest and jaunty attitude. It is
not confined to spinifex country, but is
often found in association with that
plant. Similar to many outback
creatures, it is an opportunistic feeder
on swarming termites.