Wonga Pigeon
Leucosarcia melanoleuca
Size: Birds Size: 36-39 cm
Family: Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves, 25 species in Australia).
Distribution: Within about 200 km of the coasts of NSW, South QLD, Eastern VIC.
Status: Common
Habitat: Coastal, dense forests, scrubs, rainforests
References: Simpson and Day, Reader's Digest
About the Wonga Pigeon
The Wonga Pigeon is known for its "woop, woop, woop, woop, woop..." call, which can go for hours, almost without a break. In older times it was known for being good eating, and is one of the only (perhaps the only) pigeon with white meat.
The Wonga Pigeon is almost always seen on the ground and it is very shy, they are heard much more than they are seen.
Photo: Wentworth Falls, Blue Mountains NSW.
Photo: Wentworth Falls, Blue Mountains NSW.
Photo: Featherdale Wildlife Park, Sydney NSW.
Artwork: John Gould, 'The Birds of Australia', 1848. Higher Resolution 1000 x 727.
See Also
Australian Mammals
Australian Reptiles
Australian Frogs
Australian Fish
Australian Spiders and Their Faces
Australian Wild Plant Foods
Return to Australian Birds
