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Partridge Pigeon
(Geophaps smithii)
: "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 |
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Physical description |
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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.
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Taxonomy, classification |
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See Partridge
Pigeon 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, 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.
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Sightings |
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Click here for sighting information
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.
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Photos |
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Race "smithii"
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ADULT |
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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.