WHITE HEADED PIGEON PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
The White-headed Pigeon
(Columba leucomela) is a pigeon that is native
to Australia. It is also known by names of "Baldy"
and "Baldy Pigeon".
The pigeon's habitat is from Cooktown, Queenstown
to southern New South Wales. It can commonly be found
in tropical regions, subtropical rainforest, scrub, watercourses
and street trees. Since colonisation of Australia,
their numbers have decreased but they have thrived on
the introduced camphor laurel.
The White-headed pigeon's nest generally consists
of scanty twigs and is usually placed high in canopy up
to 18 metres. It tends to lay one cream-white egg.
Breeding is mostly from October to December.
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WHITE HEADED PIGEON DISTRIBUTION and HABITAT:
These pigeons are often
found alone, pairs or in small flocks. They are very quiet
and elusive. Their flight is swift and direct. Their call
is loud and gruff sounding like "WHOO!" followed
by a gruff inhalation sounding "uk" (repeated
three times). Sometimes the call is a low "oom".
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WHITE HEADED PIGEON SIZE:
The
size of the pigeon varies
from about 38 to 41 centimetres (15.2 to 16.4 inches). Plumage
consists of a white head and breast with a glossy back area.
Wings and tail are black. The bill is red with a yellowish
tip. The
eye ring and legs are red and the eyes are
pale orange or yellow. Juveniles have a
grey crown and
breast.
WHITE HEADED PIGEON DIET:
White-headed pigeons feed
on fruit in canopy but can also feed on the ground in the
open. It also
eats fallen grains in cornfields.
Crested Pigeon
Fossil Specimens Discovered in The USA
