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11

Partridge Pigeon (Geophaps smithii) Alternate name(s): "Smith's Partridge Bronze-wing", "Naked-eyed Partridge", "Bare-eyed (Partridge) Pigeon", "Red-eyed Squatter" Aboriginal name(s): "manga*" Size: 25-28 cm Weight: 150-250 g

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Similar species

Description     Classification     Distribution     Sightings     Photos     Breeding     Nest     Eggs     Behaviour     Food     Call/s

Physical description Click here for a physical description Partridge Pigeons are medium-sized pigeons. There are two races, which have basically identical plumages, but different-coloured skin patches around the eyes. Race "smithii" has red eye patches, while race "blaauwi" has yellow eye patches. Most of the plumage is greyish to pinkish brown, except for a scalloped chest patch and a whitish to white-brown scalloped belly and vent. The tail is darker brown and the wings have dark brown tips and some iridescence on the flight feathers.

Taxonomy, classification See Partridge Pigeon at Wikipedia .

Range, habitat, finding this species Click here for information on habitat and range The overall distribution of this species can be assessed, and specific locations where birds have been spotted can be found, based on individual sighting reports submitted by birdwatchers to ebird.org . The global distribution of the Partridge Pigeon is available HERE . There are two races of Partridge Pigeons, both of which are endemic to the tropical North coast of Australia. Nominate race "smithii" (red around the eyes) occurs along the North coast of the Top End of the NT, from the East coast of Arnhemland, to West of Litchfield NP in the NT. Race "blaauwi" (yellow around the eyes) is found along parts of the North coast of the Kimberley, WA. Partridge Pigeons have a preference for open areas near water and grassy woodland.

Sightings Click here for sighting information Race "smithii" B. Hensen reports spotting a Partridge Pigeon, race "smithii", on the Marrakai track, NT, in July 2013. H. Mouritsen spotted a Partridge Pigeon, race "smithii", in Kakadu NP, NT, in October 2015. M. Eaton found Partridge Pigeons, race "smithii", at Nourlangie, Kakadu NP, NT, in July 2020. P. Brown reports finding a flock of 15 Partridge Pigeons, race "smithii", at Umbrawarra Gorge NP, about 200 km South of Darwin, NT, in January 2020.

Photos

Race "smithii"

ADULT

Sex unknown

Near-frontal view of a Partridge Pigeon (photo courtesy of H. Mouritsen)
[Kakadu NP, NT, October 2015]

Lateral view of a Partridge Pigeon (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Umbrawarra Gorge NP, NT, January 2020]

Lateral view of a Partridge Pigeon (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Marrakai track, NT, July 2013]

Lateral view of two Partridge Pigeons (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Kakadu NP, NT, July 2020]

Dorsal view of a Partridge Pigeon (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Marrakai track, NT, July 2013]

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.

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Disclaimer: Comments are always welcome. We give no guarantee that the information presented on these pages is always correct or up-to-date. External links are marked as such and we take no responsibility for the contents of external pages. All images on this site are protected by copyright & used by permission of the respective owners. If you wish to reproduce them or any of the material presented on this web site, please contact us: We hereby acknowledge the original custodians of the land which is described on these pages, including the Gomeroi/Gamilaraay people of the North-west Slopes and Plains of NSW, and the traditional owners of other lands and nations within this country. We acknowledge elders past, present and emerging. Sovereignty was never ceded.          Last updated: Tue, 11 August 2020, 9:10 +00:00