Just before sunset this White-headed Pigeon turned up in my garden to have a drink. The birds were scared of it and flew off in protest. I have never seen one before, so I had to look it up. My books tell me : Not present in Victoria. How did it get here?
They do occasionally show up in Vic as vagrants.
They are kept in captivity but I believe they are uncommon, I'd lean towards it being a wild bird.
Get the report on eremaea birdline vic asap. good find.
zosterops may be correct, but I'd lean to it probably being an aviary escapee... that last shot is fantastically clear M-L, very nice
Double post
I'm not so sure it's an escapee. I note in Morcombe's Field Guide to Australian Birds that it's described, among other things, as "dispersive". I reckon it may well have dispersed as far as your place, Araminta, which is only 100 km or so from the edge of its normal range.
I'm not so sure it's an escapee. I note in Morcombe's Field Guide to Australian Birds that it's described, among other things, as "dispersive". I reckon it may well have dispersed as far as your place, Araminta, which is only 100 km or so from the edge of its normal range.
You're probably correct than, Woko. On that note, I doubt the King Parrot sighted in my garden last year was a vigrant...
Probably not, Nathan. Perth is a long, long way from natural King Parrot country.
I concur, indeed in Pizzey and Knight 9th ed quote - White-headed Pigeon 'casual e Vic. w to c. Powelltown... increasing and expanding range'.
Any photo showing the legs, are there any leg bands present? That might indicate an escapee. Hoping it is not. As usual lovely photos.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Thanks guys. There was no ring on his legs. But I do live very close to Powelltown.
M-L
Quality photographs again Araminta.That second shot is crystal clear.
Samford Valley Qld.