Spinifex pigeon

Last updated

Spinifex pigeon
Spinifex Pigeon 0A2A1585.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Columbiformes
Family: Columbidae
Genus: Geophaps
Species:
G. plumifera
Binomial name
Geophaps plumifera
Gould, 1842

The spinifex pigeon (Geophaps plumifera), 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". [1] It most frequently occurs in arid and semi-arid habitats containing hummock-forming grasses of the genera Triodia and Plectrachne . [2]

Contents

Taxonomy

John Gould described the spinifex pigeon in 1842 and there have been several revisions at both the species and subspecies level. The current taxonomy was determined through a comprehensive examination of twelve variables in 712 specimens from 54 localities. Three subspecies are recognised: [2]

  1. Eastern spinifex pigeon (central eastern white-bellied subspecies) Geophaps plumifera leucogaster
  2. North-western spinifex pigeon (north-western white-bellied subspecies) Geophaps plumifera plumifera
  3. Pilbara spinifex pigeon (brown bellied western subspecies) Geophaps plumifera ferruginea

Geophaps p. subsp. plumifera, is found in the arid areas of north-western and northern Australia, Geophaps plumifera subsp. leucogaster inhabits central Australia and north-western Queensland, and Geophaps plumifera subsp. ferruginea, is found in the Pilbara, Western Australia. [2]

The divergence of the subspecies recognised has been linked to isolation caused by aridity from climatic oscillations during the Pleistocene. [2] It is thought that G. p. plumifera was originally present in the interior of Australia and much of north and central Australia in a less arid period. Subsequent aridity is thought to have resulted in the isolation of a western group, now recognised as G. p. ferruginea, followed by a later split of a northern group, currently recognised as G. p. leucogaster. The later split thought to have resulted in less divergence. [2]

Subsequent oscillations in climate are thought to have resulted in a degree of hybridisation between the groups with a subsequent split leading to the presence of brown-bellied birds in the western Kimberly and residual genes of brown-bellied birds in the western portion of the central-eastern white-bellied group. [2]

Description

The spinifex pigeon is a small and compact pigeon, which weighs 80-110 g, has a mean body length of 200 - 235mm, and has their wingspan of 300–350 mm. Males are slightly larger than females, and generally difficult to visually differentiate. [3] [4]

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. A white band extends from the chin to behind the eye and the throat is black. A white stripe is present on the breast, and the legs and feet are grey. [4] There is no seasonal variation in plumage. [3] [4]

There is substantial geographical variation in the colour of the plumage on the belly, which is reflected in the separation of the western brown-bellied birds from the other subspecies recognised. [2]

Distribution and habitat

The spinifex pigeon occurs throughout much of arid and semiarid northern and central Australia. It lives in arid and semi-arid stony habitats on rocky hills and mountainous terrain, gorges, dry rocky creek beds and nearby gibber plains. [3] [5] [6] [7] It occupies environments which often experience extreme heat during the day, extreme cold during the night, high seasonal fluctuations in rainfall, and extended periods of severe drought. [8] This species is most often encountered in habitats containing hummock forming grasses of the Triodia and Plectrachne genera, which are colloquially referred to as ‘spinifex grasses’. [3] These grasses may form extensive areas of grassland in comprise the understorey component of low open savannah and woodlands of Desert Oak ( Allocasuarina decaisneana ), Eucalypts and Mulga ( Acacia aneura ). Although strong associations with spinifex are reported, in some areas it is rarely sighted in spinifex and prefers other types of sparse grassland. [3]

Presence around urbanised areas is rare, however does occur in natural habitats occupied by humans and is reported to have foraged on food provided to domestic fowl on at least one occasion. [7]

Spinifex pigeons do not travel long distances to water, requiring permanent water in close proximity to foraging areas. [8] Both natural and man-made water sources are exploited including waterholes and watercourses and stock drinking troughs. [9] [10]

Spinifex pigeon habitat Ormiston Gorge, Northern Territory Ormiston gorge.jpg
Spinifex pigeon habitat Ormiston Gorge, Northern Territory

Behaviour

This species is considered gregarious and sedentary, restricted to habitats within a few kilometres of permanent supply of surface water. They are most often found in pairs or small groups of between four and twenty birds, however, on a rare occasion, have been recorded in a large flock conservatively estimated to number four hundred birds. [9] [10] [11]

They are more frequently observed congregating around water sources in small groups for drinking prior to and during the hottest parts of the day around mid-morning and noon. [7] [12]

Congregations of larger groups occur during favourable seasonal conditions, with dispersal during less favourable conditions or when numbers build up in good seasons. [4] [5] Flocks appear to have regular home ranges, travelling to and from foraging and watering points as a group. It is thought that individuals may move between flocks, however the frequency of this is unknown. [4]

On occasion, this species engages in a spectacular bowing display, where the tail is spread erect like fan, the folded wings are raised and the pupils contract. The shining patches of the secondary feathers flash into view at the same time that the black outer tail feathers become visible. The display is not always directed at other individuals and may simply self-assertive. [13]

This species also has a head-shaking display that appears as a greeting between pairs and in threat to other individuals. The bird assumes a crouched over position with head lowered and crest flattened and thrusts forward shaking the bill and head. [13]

Breeding

Breeding occurs throughout the year with highest levels during spring and summer, coinciding with peak rainfall periods and increased supply of food. [14]

Copulation is performed on the ground. [15] The nest is scratched out in a grass-lined depression on stony ground and may be located within sight of other nesting pairs. [9] [10] Two cream coloured eggs are laid and incubated by the female for 16 to 18 days by both the male and female. [3] [9] Observations of captive birds indicate that the young are independent at four to six weeks. [3] Average lifespan for wild birds is not reported in the literature.

Large populations can form, however birds disperse and numbers decline following extended periods of extreme drought. After rain, when food supplies increase, there is often a slow recovery in numbers due to local breeding. [5]

Food and foraging

Spinifex pigeons are unique among many other desert birds in that they are sedentary arid spinifex habitat specialists. They are capable of enduring extreme conditions and the availability of drought-resistant seed plants varies greatly with seasonal conditions, often declining substantially during periods of extended drought. [5]

They forage on the ground singly, in pairs or small flocks for seeds, vegetable matter and insects, mostly in bare areas between clumps of grasses and occasionally in dry rocky watercourses or dry margins of wetlands. [3] [5]

The diet is almost entirely made up of the seeds of drought-resistant grasses and herbs, with spinifex perhaps surprisingly not an important food source overall (Frith and baker). Animals and vegetative material contribute to the diet in trace amounts. [5] Spinifex pigeons will also take some foods given by humans, particularly around camping areas.

Foraging mostly occurs early in the morning and late in the afternoon during cooler periods of the day in close proximity to water sources. [3] [8]

Avoidance of predators

Spinifex pigeons are weak long distance fliers being more suited to vertical and short horizontal movements, which aid in escape from predators in preferred habitats such as steep hills and gorges. [8] Approached birds are generally bold and may remain still until approached at very close distances. They are a predominantly terrestrial species and rely on running movements and the camouflage provided by their rufous plumage against the desert sand and rocks to escape predators, rather than evasion by flight, and will frequently run away when approached rather than take to the wing. [7]

At the nest adults have been recorded to respond defensively in captivity and have been recorded to abandon the eggs or hatchlings as a decoy to predators in the wild. [3]

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. [16]

Adaptations to desert environments

Spinifex pigeon inhabit harsh desert environments and must be able to cope with substantial water and heat stress. Their geographic range includes one of the hottest places on earth, Marble Bar, Western Australia, where air temperatures exceed 37.8 °C up to 160 days of the year. [8]

Hydration is achieved by drinking and metabolic water production, as water intake from food sources is low and maintenance of positive water balance is crucial due to the importance of evaporative cooling for thermoregulation at high ambient temperatures. Accordingly, spinifex pigeons generally occur in close proximity to permanent water sources. [8]

Spinifex pigeon coming in to drink from a stock watering point Spinifex pigeon Jim Bendon.jpg
Spinifex pigeon coming in to drink from a stock watering point

The ability of the spinifex pigeon to withstand high ambient temperatures is a combination of low body heat production, the ability to increase non-evaporative heat loss by hyperthermia and elevated dry thermal conductance, and a relatively high evaporative water loss. [8]

Threats and conservation

There are early reports from settlers that the replacement of horse studs with sheep grazing initially resulted in a reduction in the extent of suitable habitats for this species. [10] Other authors suggest, however, that the range of this species is likely to have expanded since European settlement in Australia, due to the installation of permanent stock watering points in areas previously without surface water. [12]

Current threats are more likely to include overgrazing by stock and feral animals, inappropriate fire regimes and increased ambient temperatures and reduction in water availability due to climate change. [5] [17] [18]

Currently the species is listed on the IUCN Red List as a species of least concern and its habitats are protected in several national parks throughout its range including the Tjoritja/West MacDonnell National Park, Watarrka National Park, Purnululu National Park, Kakadu National Park and Diamantina Lakes National Park. [1]

Similar species

The crested pigeon is the only other Australian pigeon species with an erect crest. However, the spinifex pigeon can be easily distinguished by its smaller size, rusty coloured plumage, distinctive facial markings and occurrence in desert habitats.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bronzewing pigeon</span> Group of birds

The bronzewing pigeons are a group of pigeons native to Australia which have distinctive iridescent wing patches that appear bronze or green-brown in dull light, but flash in many bright colours in the sun as the bird moves. Three species are always known as "bronzewings" in the genus Phaps, and several broadly similar birds also have the trademark wing patch to a more or less obvious degree. Bronzewings are ground feeders, but are capable of very fast flight. They tend to browse quietly until disturbed, then remain still, their earthy browns blending into the earth and leaf litter until the intruder approaches too closely, when the bronzewings take off with an explosive burst of sudden wing clapping and feather noise, and disappear from sight within moments.

Spinifex may refer to:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black-faced woodswallow</span> Species of bird

The black-faced woodswallow is a woodswallow of the genus Artamus native to Australia, New Guinea and the Sunda Islands, including Timor. It is 18–19 cm (7.1–7.5 in) long and is the most widespread species in the family Artamidae. Woodswallows have a soft call with chiff, chap and chattering calls which can include vocal mimicry

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crested pigeon</span> Species of bird

The crested pigeon is a bird found widely throughout mainland Australia except for the far northern tropical areas. Only two Australian pigeon species possess an erect crest, the crested pigeon and the spinifex pigeon. The crested pigeon is the larger of the two species. The crested pigeon is sometimes referred to as a topknot pigeon, a common name shared with the reddish crested Lopholaimus antarcticus of Eastern Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red-browed pardalote</span> Species of bird

The red-browed pardalote is a small brightly coloured insectivorous passerine, endemic to Australia. A gleaning specialist, they forage primarily in eucalypt trees . The Latin word rubricatus means 'red-ochred' which is descriptive of their orange-red eyebrow. Other common names include red-browed diamondbird, bellbird, cape red-browed, pale red-browed, fawn-eyed, fawn-eyebrowed and pallid or red-lored pardalote.

<i>Geophaps</i> Genus of birds

Geophaps is a small genus of doves. Established by George Robert Gray, it contains three extant species. The plumage and distribution suggests that all species within the genus have formed from a common ancestor and that through adaptive radiation they have varied greatly in size, shape and ecology.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scarlet robin</span> Songbird species native to southern Australia

The scarlet robin is a common red-breasted Australasian robin in the passerine bird genus Petroica. The species is found on continental Australia and its offshore islands, including Tasmania. The species was originally split in 1999 by Schodde and Mason, and as the original collection by Gmelin was from Norfolk Island, this retained the name of multicolor, and is now known as the Norfolk robin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">White-plumed honeyeater</span> Species of bird

The white-plumed honeyeater is a small passerine bird endemic to Australia. White-plumed honeyeaters are common around water and are often seen in backyards and suburbs with vegetation cover.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wompoo fruit dove</span> Species of bird

The wompoo fruit dove, also known as wompoo pigeon and "magnificent fruit dove" among others, is one of the larger fruit doves native to New Guinea and eastern Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Painted finch</span> Australian bird

The painted finch is a common species of estrildid finch found in Australia. The painted finch acquired its name due to the red and white spotted and mottled underparts of both males and females. The binomial comes from emblema meaning 'mosaic or inlaid work'; and pictum derives from the Latin word pictus, meaning 'painted'. Other names include Emblema finch, mountain finch, painted firetail and Emblema. The painted finch is a popular bird to be kept in captivity and in backyard aviaries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Inland dotterel</span> Species of bird

The inland dotterel is an endemic bird of the arid Australian interior. It forms loose flocks in sparsely vegetated gibber plain and claypans in the day where it loafs in the shade and eats shoots of shrubs. It is most often encountered at night when it forages on roads for insects. The relative remoteness of its habitat means that it is not well studied. The most detailed observations of the species were made by the South African arid-zone ornithology specialist Gordon Maclean in the 1970s. Alternate English names include Australian plover, inland plover, desert plover and prairie plover.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Inland thornbill</span> Species of bird

The inland thornbill was originally described by English ornithologist John Gould in The Birds of Australia. Inland thornbills are within the order passerines. The inland thornbill belongs to the genus Acanthiza, which now has three more species than the eleven outlined by Gould in The Birds of Australia. The Noongar people of southwestern Western Australia call A. apicalis "Djoobi-Djoolbang". The inland thornbill is also known as the broad-tail thornbill and presently contains several subspecies that were once considered independent species. The word apicalis comes from the Latin for 'tipped'.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Partridge pigeon</span> Species of bird

The partridge pigeon is a species of bird in the family Columbidae. It is endemic to Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brush bronzewing</span> Species of bird

The brush bronzewing is a species of bird in the pigeon family, Columbidae. It is endemic to Australia, with two biogeographically distinct subspecies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southern whiteface</span> Species of bird

The southern whiteface is a small passerine found in arid regions across most of the southern half of the Australian continent, excluding Tasmania. Superficially finch-like in appearance, this insectivorous bird is relatively common throughout most of its range, however, overall populations appear to be in decline.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rufous fieldwren</span> Species of bird

The rufous fieldwren also known as the desert wren or sandplain wren is a species of insectivorous bird in the family Acanthizidae, endemic to Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chestnut quail-thrush</span> Species of bird

The chestnut quail-thrush is a native Australian bird of the family Cinclosomatidae. These scrub birds are endemic to Australia and found in all states - barring Tasmania. They are relatively uncommon and are isolated to the semi-arid and arid fringes of the Australian interior.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western yellow robin</span> Species of songbird native to southern Australia

The western yellow robin is a species of bird in the Australasian robin family, Petroicidae, native to Australia. Described by John Gould in 1838, the western yellow robin and its Australian relatives are not closely related to either the European or American robins, but they appear to be an early offshoot of the Passerida group of songbirds. Ranging between 13.5 and 15.5 cm long, it has grey upperparts, and a grey breast and head, broken by whitish streaks near the bill and below the eye, with a conspicuous yellow belly. The sexes are similar in appearance. Two subspecies are recognized: subspecies griseogularis, which has a yellow rump, and subspecies rosinae with an olive-green rump.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western gerygone</span> Species of bird

The western gerygone is a small, brownish-grey species of passerine bird, which is found in inland and south-west Australia. It is an arboreal, insectivore of open forest, woodland and dry shrubland. It is not currently threatened with extinction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mallee emu-wren</span> Species of bird

The mallee emu-wren is a species of bird in the Australasian wren family, Maluridae. It is endemic to Australia.

References

  1. 1 2 3 BirdLife International (2019). "Geophaps plumifera". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2019: e.T22690682A154796719. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T22690682A154796719.en . Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Crome, F.H.J.; Carpenter, S.M.; Frith, H.J. (1980). "Geographic Variation and Taxonomy of the Spinifex Pigeon Geophaps plumifera". Australian Journal of Zoology. 28: 135–150. doi:10.1071/zo9800135.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Higgins, P.J.; Davies, S.J.J.F., eds. (1996). Handbook of Australian, New Zealand & Antarctic Birds Volume 3 Snipe to Pigeons. Melbourne: Oxford University Press. pp. 912–921. ISBN   0-19-553070-5.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Crome, Francis; Shields, James (1992). Parrots and Pigeons of Australia (1st ed.). Pymble, NSW, Australia: Harper Collins. pp. 293–296. ISBN   0-207-15437-6.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Frith, H.J.; Barker, R.D. (1975). "Food of the Plumed Pigeons Geophaps plumifera and G. ferruginea". Australian Wildlife Research. 2: 63–76. doi:10.1071/wr9750063.
  6. ↑ D Le Souef, C.M.Z.S.C. (1901). "Protective Coloration of Australian birds and their nests". Emu. 1 (3): 128–132. doi:10.1071/mu901128.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Ellis, R. (1957). "Lord Murphy's Creek Notes". Emu. 57: 340. doi:10.1071/mu957338.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Withers, Philip C.; Williams, Joseph B. (1990). "Metabolic and Respiratory Physiology of an Arid-Adapted Australian Bird, the Spinifex Pigeon". The Condor. 92 (4): 961–969. doi:10.2307/1368732. JSTOR   1368732.
  9. 1 2 3 4 Whitlock, F.W. (1909). "Notes on Birds observed on the Pilbarra Goldfield, North-west Australia". Emu. 8 (4): 193. doi:10.1071/mu908173.
  10. 1 2 3 4 McGILP, J.N. (1935). "Birds of Musgrave Ranges". Emu. 34 (3): 163–176. doi:10.1071/mu934163.
  11. ↑ Hyett, Jack (1967). "Flocking of Spinifex Pigeon". Emu. 67 (2): 132. doi:10.1071/mu967132a.
  12. 1 2 Fisher, Charles D.; Lindgren, Eric; Dawson, William R. (1972). "Drinking Patterns and Behaviour of Australian Desert Birds in Relation to Their Ecology and Abundance". The Condor. 74 (2): 111–136. doi:10.2307/1366276. JSTOR   1366276.
  13. 1 2 Goodwin, Derek (1967). "Notes on Behaviour of some Australian Birds". Emu. 66 (3): 237–251. doi:10.1071/mu966237.
  14. ↑ Frith, H.J.; Carpenter, S.M.; Braithwaite, L.W. (1976). "Sexual Cycles of Pigeons in Arid and Semiarid Australia". Australian Journal of Zoology. 24 (3): 331–351. doi:10.1071/zo9760331.
  15. ↑ Frith, H.J. (1977). "Some Display Postures of Australian Birds". Ibis. 119: 167–182. doi:10.1111/j.1474-919X.1977.tb03534.x.
  16. ↑ Pizzey, G.; Knight F. (1997). Field Guide to the Birds of Australia. Australia: HarperCollins. ISBN   0207196915.
  17. ↑ Clarke, Michael F. (2008). "Catering for the needs of fauna in fire management: science or just wishful thinking?". Wildlife Research. 35 (5): 385–394. doi:10.1071/wr07137.
  18. ↑ Walther, Gian-Reto; Post, Eric; Convey, Peter; Menze, Annette; Parmesan, Camille; Beebee, Trevor J.C.; Fromentin, Jean-Marc; Hoegh-Guldberg, Ove; Bairlein, Franz (March 2002). "Ecological Responses to Recent Climate Change". Nature. 416 (6879): 389–395. Bibcode:2002Natur.416..389W. doi:10.1038/416389a. PMID   11919621. S2CID   1176350.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.