- Wonga Pigeon
Taxobox
name = Wonga Pigeon
status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1
image_width = 250px
regnum =Animal ia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo =Columbiformes
familia = Columbidae
genus = "Leucosarcia"
genus_authority = Gould, 1843
species = "L. melanoleuca"
binomial = "Leucosarcia melanoleuca"
binomial_authority = (Latham, 1802)The Wonga Pigeon "Leucosarcia melanoleuca" is a pigeon that inhabits areas in easternAustralia with its range being fromCentral Queensland toGippsland , easternVictoria, Australia .Previously they could be found as north as
Cairns and as south as theDandenongs , but due to land clearance, shootings in the 1940s for crop protection andfox predation, they are rarely seen in these areas, but their populations have improved in these areas.The Wonga Pigeon is a large, plump pigeon that has a short
neck , broadwing s, and a longtail . Its length varies from 38 to 40centimetre s (15.2 to 16inch es). It has pastel blue-grey backfeather s. 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. Theyeye s are a dark red-brown colour and they have pink eye-rings that encircle them. Legs are red and the genders appear identical but immature pigeons are browner with a less distinct V pattern.They are very elusive
bird s and are only often heard, producing explosive wing claps when disturbed. They tend to occur on the ground forraging and are located inrainforest s, weteucalypt forest s, coastal forests, picnic areas, walking tracks, carparks andgarden s. Their diet consists offruit , berries,seed s from native forest trees and the oddinsect .The call of the Wonga Pigeon is a loud, high-pitched 'coo'. This is repeated over long periods of time for a number of seconds. When males are displaying mating, bowing occurs with a soft, trilling coo.
The Wonga Pigeon is monogamous and breeds between October and January. It produces a twig platform nest with a diameter of 30 centimetres. The
nest is build from about 3 to 20metre s above the ground and defending by breeding pairs. The pigeon will sometimes use abandoned nests fromTopknot Pigeon s orTawny Frogmouth s. Two large eggs are normally laid. The eggs are up to 4 centimetres in length.References
* Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
* [http://www.reptilepark.com.au/animals.asp?catID=1&ID=48 Australian Reptile Park Animals - Wonga Pigeon]
* [http://www.birdsinbackyards.net/finder/display.cfm?id=106 Birds in Backyards - Wonga Pigeon]
* [http://lamington.nrsm.uq.edu.au/Documents/Birds/Won.htm Lamington National Park - Wonga Pigeon]
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