Leucosarcia melanoleuca

(Latham, 1801)

Vernacular names
English : Wonga pigeon
French : Colombine wonga

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Columbiformes
Family : Columbidae
Notes : No subspecies known

Identification
The species grows to 45 cm in length for a weight of 500 g. Large pigeon with red cere, eye-ring and legs. Plumage mostly dark blue-grey with a white V-shaped marking on breast, dark spotted white belly, white face with black lores.

Range and habitat
The species is endemic to Australia and occurs in the eastern side of the island, from south-central Queensland to central Victoria. Lives in tropical and subtropical humid rainforest, open woodlands, to 1800 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species is still common in some areas but has experienced declines because of bush fires, habitat loss, hunting and predation by alien species.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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