40 Australian GeographicI
’VE BEEN FASCINATED by
pigeons since, as a small boy, I
inadvertently frightened a
near-fledged common bronze-
wing from its nest in a wattle. It
dived into the leaf litter at the base of
the shrub where its coloration made it
difficult to see. Every day for the next
few weeks I snuck back to check on its
progress until the day it ‘flew the coop’.
My interest extends to the domestic
pigeon (a variety of Columba), which I
have kept as a pet off and on since my
early teens. Humankind’s associationwith this bird extends back at least
5000 years, perhaps longer – and there
is reason to believe that the pigeon,
similar to the dog, may have domesti-
cated itself. It remains a sacred symbol
in Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
The domestic pigeon occurs in a
bewildering variety of colours and
forms, with some of the 500-odd
breeds so altered they are almost
unrecognisable as pigeons. As the use
of the internet spreads, new varieties
constantly come to light and today’s
pigeon breeder is able to watchFRANK POVAH
has been with
AUSTRALIAN
GEOGRAPHIC for
nearly three
decades, as a
proofreader, copy
editor and writer.
His knowledge and love of Australia
runs deep and some of his stories and
songs are now held in the archives of
the National Library of Australia.R ISE OF THE
R ATTLEWING
From desert to rainforest, Australia’s pigeons and doves
inhabit almost every corner of the continent.
native birdlife
Story by Frank Povah Illustrations by William T. Cooper
Emerald dove
Chalcophaps indica Length: 27cmThis pretty pigeon feeds on fruits and
seeds found on the ground. Widely
distributed elsewhere, in Australia it
can be found on the mainland and
many offshore islands, from the
western Kimberley to the Top End,
and from Cape York to south-eastern
NSW. It occurs also on Norfolk and
Lord Howe islands. Land clearing,
especially in the south, has seen a
population decline in some areas.Christmas Island
Cocos-Keeling Island