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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.

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.

Race "scripta"

Race "peninsulae"