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11

Squatter Pigeon (Geophaps scripta) Alternate name(s): "Partridge Bronzewing", "Partridge Pigeon*" Aboriginal name(s): "manga*" Size: 26-29 cm Weight: 180-250 g

Australia: Family Group 11 Family Group 11 Table White-headed Pigeon Pied Imperial Pigeon Topknot Pigeon Crested Pigeon Spinifex Pigeon Flock Bronzewing Common Bronzewing Brush Bronzewing Squatter Pigeon Partridge Pigeon White-quilled Rock-Pigeon Chestnut-quilled Rock-Pigeon Banded Fruit-Dove Wompoo Fruit-Dove Superb Fruit Dove Rose-crowned Fruit Dove Emerald Dove Brown Cuckoo-Dove Wonga Pigeon Peaceful Dove Diamond Dove Bar-shouldered Dove Thumbnails page Family group table Index of bird names Habitat pages Key plants Birds home page

Similar species

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

Physical description Click here for a physical description Squatter Pigeons are medium-sized pigeons. There are two races, which have basically identical plumages, but different-coloured skin patches around the eyes. Race "scripta" has grey orbital skin, while race "peninsulae" has orange-red orbital skin, with a lot of variation in the overlap zone of the two races. The frons is grey, turning more brownish grey towards the cap and the nape of the neck, while the sides of the head show a "zebra" pattern of alternating black and white stripes. The front is grey, with white flanks which show as white bars under the folded wings. The neck, back and tail are brownish-grey, with a heavy scallop pattern with lighter edges on the wing coverts. The dark-grey flight feathers also have light brownish-grey edges. The irises are brown. The sturdy bill is dark-grey; legs and feet are grey. Juvenile Squatter Pigeons have duller colours, with more brownish hues and more scalloping, especially on the breast. The facial pattern is also less pronounced.

Taxonomy, classification See Squatter 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 Squatter Pigeon is available HERE . 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. There are two races of Squatter Pigeons, both of which are endemic to Australia. Their combined range is restricted to north-eastern Australia. They are present across the width of the southern part of Cape York peninsula, southward of the latitude of Cape Tribulation, to the border region of QLD with NSW. Their range extends inland to the southern tip of the Gulf of Carpentaria and roughly Charleville, QLD. In the south-eastern quarter of QLD, with the exception of the metropolitan areas around Brisbane and the Gold Coast, up to the latitude of Townsville, QLD, nominate race "scripta" is found. The northern part of the range, northward of Townsville, is occupied by race "peninsulae". Squatter Pigeons have a preference for open areas near woodland, often with grass tussocks and bare ground. They are often found near roadsides.

Sightings Click here for sighting information Race "scripta" M. Eaton reports finding Squatter Pigeons, race "scripta", near Emerald, QLD, in August 2019. Race "peninsulae" R. Russell reports spotting Squatter Pigeons, race "peninsulae", semi-regularly at Mount Molloy, QLD. M. Eaton reports finding Squatter Pigeons, race "peninsulae", at Granite Rocks Nature Park, Mareeba, QLD, in November 2018.

Photos

Race "scripta"

ADULT

Sex unknown

Lateral view of two Squatter Pigeons (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Near Emerald, QLD, August 2019]

Near-dorsal view of a Squatter Pigeon (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Near Emerald, QLD, August 2019]

Race "peninsulae"

ADULT

Sex unknown

Frontal view of a Squatter Pigeon; note the red orbital skin which characterises race "peninsulae" (photo courtesy of R. Russell)
[Mount Molloy, QLD, January 2011]

Close-up lateral view of a Squatter Pigeon (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Granite Rocks Nature Park, Mareeba, QLD, November 2018]

Close-up lateral view of a Squatter Pigeon (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Granite Rocks Nature Park, Mareeba, QLD, November 2018]

Lateral view of a Squatter Pigeon (photo courtesy of R. Russell)
[Mount Molloy, QLD, June 2011]

Lateral view of a Squatter Pigeon (photo courtesy of R. Russell)
[Mount Molloy, QLD, August 2011]

Near-dorsal view of a Squatter Pigeon (photo courtesy of R. Russell)
[Mount Molloy, QLD, March 2011]

Dorsal view of a Squatter Pigeon (photo courtesy of R. Russell)
[Mount Molloy, QLD, January 2011]

Two Squatter Pigeons on the ground (photo courtesy of R. Russell)
[Mount Molloy, QLD, September 2008]

Typical view of a clan of Squatter Pigeons on the ground (photo courtesy of R. Russell)
[Mount Molloy, QLD, February 2010]

IMMATURE/JUVENILE

Lateral view of a ragged-looking Squatter Pigeon; this bird appears to be moulting; the dull colours of both the orbital skin and the facial mask indicate that this is a juvenile (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Granite Rocks Nature Park, Mareeba, QLD, November 2018]

Food, Diet

Close-up lateral view of Squatter Pigeons foraging on the ground for seeds (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Granite Rocks Nature Park, Mareeba, QLD, November 2018]

Lateral view of a Squatter Pigeon drinking water from a bowl (photo courtesy of R. Russell)
[Mount Molloy, QLD, June 2011]

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: Thu, 5 September 2019, 7:56 +00:00