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Flock Bronzewing
(Phaps histrionica)
: "Flock Pigeon", "Harlequin Bronzewing", "Harlequin Pigeon"
Size: 27-31 cm
Weight: 260-320 g
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Physical description |
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 Click here for a physical description
Flock Bronzewings are medium-sized pigeons.
Their plumage is
dimorphic, i.e.
male and
female
are different.
Male
Flock Bronzewings have a white frons, a narrow white ring-like ear
pattern and a white throat patch. Otherwise the head is black.
Their front (chest, belly, vent) is grey, the back (nape of the
neck, mantle, wings) is sandy brown. The wing tips are grey,
with white spots.
Female
Flock Bronzewings have a grey frons, a less conspicuous ear mark
and a mottled greyish-brown cheek and throat pattern. Back and
chest are duller brown than the males'. Otherwise the
plumage resembles
that of males.
The eyes and bill are black, the legs and feet are dark grey-pink.
Juveniles
resemble females,
with some light scalloping.
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Twitcher's tip |
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(Male) Flock Bronzewings are the only Australian doves or pigeons that have a black and
white head.
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Taxonomy, classification |
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See Flock
Bronzewing at Wikipedia  .
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Range, habitat, finding this species |
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Click here for information on habitat
and range
The overall distribution of this species can be assessed based
on sighting reports submitted by birdwatchers to
ebird.org
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The global distribution of the Flock Bronzewing is available
HERE
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NB:
Reports on ebird of birds submitted by birdwatchers from
the Australian Outback tend to be clustered along roads
and public areas such as camp grounds; in such cases their
distribution is not a good representation of the overall
distribution of the species.
Flock Bronzewings are endemic to Australia. Their range and
distribution are complex; see a field guide for details.
Flock Bronzewings are primarily found in the tropical North
and the central part of Australia, most notably in the Diamantina
and the Channel Country of QLD, to the West of the Paroo-Darling
system and to the North of the Lake Eyre Basin (SA/NT), the
northern NT/WA border region and in a wide stretch along the
Fitzroy River in WA.
From there they can disperse into the northern part of WA, the
northern half of the NT (except Arnhemland and the south-western
coastline of the Gulf of Carpentaria), western QLD and far
north-western NSW.
Flock Bronzewings have a preference for the open grass plains of the arid interior
of the Australian continent.
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Sightings |
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Click here for sighting information
C. Charles
reports spotting Flock Bronzewings near Astrebla Downs
NP, south-west QLD, in August 2013.
All photographic and sighting information presented
on this page has kindly been contributed by C. Charles.
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Photos |
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ADULT |
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MALE |
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Lateral view of male Flock Bronzewings - click on photo to
see 4 male birds in total
(photo courtesy of C. Charles)
[Near Astrebla Downs NP, QLD, August 2013]
| Social behaviour: Communal |
Mobility: Dispersive |
Elementary unit: Pair/flock |
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Food, Diet |
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These pages are largely based on our own observations and those of our
contributors.
The structure of these bird pages is explained HERE. For more salient facts on any bird species
please refer to a field guide.
Breeding
Nest
Eggs
Behaviour
Call/s
