About the Spinifex Pigeon
The Spinifex pigeon, also known as the plumed-pigeon or gannaway pigeon, is one of three endemic Australian bird species within the genus Geophaps. It occurs within a broader group known as bronzewing pigeons. This species is listed under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List category of "least concern". It most frequently occurs in arid and semi-arid habitats containing hummock-forming grasses of the genera Triodia and Plectrachne.
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ID tip
The Spinifex pigeon is a small and compact pigeon, which weighs 80–110 g (2.8–3.9 oz), has a mean body length of 200–235 mm (7.9–9.3 in), and has a wingspan of 300–350 mm (12–14 in). Males are slightly larger than females, and generally difficult to visually differentiate. The plumage is distinctively rufous-brown with thin black bars on the wings and back. The forehead, sides of crown and ear coverts are grey and the bill is black. The facial markings are bold and distinctive, a bright red facial mask is bordered by a black supercilium and moustachial stripe. Voice: The spinifex pigeon has a complex repertoire of calls including advertising calls, a display call, contact calls, alarm calls and threat calls (Hanzab). In general calls range from a soft high-pitched coo or cooloo-coo to a deep coo-r-r-r.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Brazil.
When to see it
Peak activity in August · a variable species across most of its range
Easily confused with
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