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Wonga Pigeon![]() Size: 35-40 cm Weight: 300-500 g |
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Photos |
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ADULT |
Sex unknown |
Lateral view of an adult Wonga Pigeon; note the pink bare parts
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Queen Mary Falls, QLD, July 2019]
Lateral view of a Wonga Pigeon foraging on the ground
(photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Copeland, NSW, February 2013]
Lateral view of a Wonga Pigeon (photo courtesy of
E.
Scott)
[Toonumbar State Forest, northern NSW, October 2016]
Near-dorsal view of a Wonga Pigeon (photo courtesy of
E.
Scott)
[Toonumbar State Forest, northern NSW, February 2017]
Ventral view of a Wonga Pigeon (photo courtesy of
E.
Scott)
[Toonumbar State Forest, northern NSW, February 2017]
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IMMATURE/JUVENILE |
Near-lateral view of an immature Wonga Pigeon; ; its
plumage
already shows the chevron pattern of an adult, but the
bare parts - at the base of the bill and legs and feet -
are still grey
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Queen Mary Falls, QLD, July 2019]
Near-lateral view of an immature Wonga Pigeon; ; its
plumage
already shows the chevron pattern of an adult, but the
bare parts - at the base of the bill and legs and feet -
are still grey
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Queen Mary Falls, QLD, July 2019]
Lateral view of an immature Wonga Pigeon
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Moggill Forest Reserve, near Anstead, QLD, August 2017]
Close-up lateral view of an immature Wonga Pigeon
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Moggill Forest Reserve, near Anstead, QLD, August 2017]
Near-dorsal view of an immature Wonga Pigeon
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Moggill Forest Reserve, near Anstead, QLD, August 2017]
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Breeding information |
Breeding season: Oct - Feb | Eggs: 2 | Incubation period: 18 days | Fledging age: 18 days |
The breeding season of Wonga Pigeons depends to some degree on geographic latitude and may extend from September to March.
Nest building: ? | Incubation: Female & male | Dependent care: Female & male |
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Nest |
"bungobittah", "lar", "malunna", "jindi" [bundjalung] = nest [Aboriginal] |
Type: Rudimentary basket | Material: Twigs | Height above ground: 3 - 20 m |
Wonga Pigeon on its nest in the typical
cryptic
posture, with the tail raised high (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[St. Albans, NSW, November 2017]
Wonga Pigeon on its nest in the typical
cryptic
posture, with the tail raised high - the tail is usually
directed towards the potential threat, with the bird
peeking around the tail or over the edge of the nest to
check for danger (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[St. Albans, NSW, November 2017]
Apart from the rapid growth of the chicks, the photos below demonstrate at least two more things: 1. Like other doves and pigeons, Wonga pigeons do not keep their nest clean; 2. over the course of 9 days the rim of the nest has almost been destroyed by trampling feet - time to get out soon!
Wonga Pigeon with two fluffy grey chicks, left, and - only 9 days
later - with near-adult size young, right
(photos courtesy of B. Hensen)
[St. Albans, NSW, December 2017]
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Eggs |
"boyanga", "booyanga", "derinya", "dirandil", "koomura", "mirk", "ngampu", "nooluk", "pateena", "pum-pum" = Egg; "dirundirri" = eggs [Aboriginal]; "gawu" = eggs [gamilaraay] |
Size: 39 x 28 mm | Colour: White | Shape: Elliptical |
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Behaviour |
Wonga Pigeons spend a lot of time foraging on the ground. When flushed, they fly up into the upper canopy with massive wing beats.
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Food, Diet |
All pigeons and doves are strictly vegetarian. Wonga Pigeons are fruit-eaters.
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Call(s)/Song |
For this species we have recorded the following call(s)/song. The
interpretation of their meaning is our own;
comments and suggestions for improvement are welcome.
Doves and pigeons do not, like other birds, open their bills when calling, but they rather "hum" through their noses, with the bill closed.
wonga_20170608.m4a | (SE QLD) |
Contact calls (in rainy conditions) |
© MD | |
wonga_20170608_1.m4a | (SE QLD) |
Contact calls; long (in rainy conditions) |
© MD | |
wonga_mm_20190915_bkgd.m4a | (Carmila Beach, QLD) |
Contact calls (with Orange-footed Scrubfowl) |
© MM | |
wonga_mm_20190915.m4a | (Carmila Beach, QLD) | Contact calls | © MM |
More Wonga Pigeon sound recordings are available at
xeno-canto.org
.