Wonga pigeon
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (May 2022) |
| Wonga pigeon | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Columbiformes |
| Family: | Columbidae |
| Genus: | Leucosarcia Gould, 1843 |
| Species: | L. melanoleuca
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| Binomial name | |
| Leucosarcia melanoleuca (Latham, 1801)
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| Synonyms[2] | |
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Leucosarcia picata | |
The wonga pigeon or wonga wonga (Leucosarcia melanoleuca) is a
Distribution and habitat
Previously they could be found as far north as
Description
The wonga pigeon is a large, plump pigeon that has a short neck, broad wings, and a long tail. Its length varies from 38 to 40 centimetres (15.2 to 16 inches). It has pastel blue-grey back feathers. The head fades to a creamy-white colour. The underside is white with dotted dark grey spots such that a white V can be seen on its chest. Their eyes are a dark red-brown colour and they have pink eye-rings that encircle them. Legs are red and the sexes appear identical but immature pigeons are browner with a less distinct V pattern.
Diet and behaviour
They are very elusive birds, more often being heard but not seen, producing explosive wing claps when disturbed. They tend to occur on the ground foraging and are located in rainforests, wet eucalypt forests, coastal forests, picnic areas, walking tracks, car parks and gardens. Their diet consists of fruit, berries, seeds from native forest trees and the odd insect.
Call
The call of the wonga pigeon is a loud, high-pitched 'coo' repeated over long periods of time for a number of seconds.[3] When males are displaying mating, bowing occurs with a soft, trilling coo.
Breeding
The wonga pigeon is monogamous and breeds between October and January. It builds a twig platform
References
- . Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ "Leucosarcia melanoleuca". Avibase.
- ^ "Wonga Pigeon". Xeno Canto. Retrieved 6 November 2018.