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Common Bronzewing

(Phaps chalcoptera)
Alternative name: "Bronze-wing Pigeon"
Aboriginal names: "tappak", "dhamarr" [gamilaraay, yuwaalaraay]
Size: 30-36 cm

Habitat
(for details refer to a field guide)

Common Bronzewings are most common in south-eastern Australia, i.e. VIC, NSW and eastern QLD, but are found in the western half of WA as well. They are well-adapted to living in semi-arid and even arid environments and can after substantial inland rainfall be found almost all over the Australian continent, except the eastern central part of WA (south of the Kimberleys) and Cape York. Common Bronzewings can be found in Tasmania and several other offshore islands as well.

Common Bronzewings are mostly found in relatively dense vegetation, in forest and dense scrub. They are often observed along the margins of such dense vegetation, e.g. around dams or roads. They do not adapt well to human presence, though, and are therefore observed less regularly than e.g. Crested Pigeons.

Sightings

We see Common Bronzewings regularly by country roadsides, mostly along dirt roads, in the Narrabri area. Occasionally they also appeared on the paddocks of the property where we lived from 2003 to 2006, 20 km south of Narrabri.

Seen by us regularly on the western fringes of Mt. Kaputar National Park, 30 km east of Narrabri. A small number of birds are always found in the same area.

However, despite the name, this species is not as common any more as it used to be. These days, Crested Pigeons, who adapt more easily to the presence of humans, are much more numerous.

Normally seen by us in pairs or families with up to four members. Only once, in April 2011, we saw a group of 12 birds together (ca. 30 km south of Pilliga, NSW).

Photos

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Lateral view of a male Common Bronzewing

Slightly different posture

Here a solitary male trying to hide in tall grass by the side of a road

Near-frontal view of a female Common Bronzewing approaching a waterhole

Lateral view of a female Common Bronzewing, typically sitting in a shady place on a dirt road

Different female bird, similar view

The same bird as above, now out in sunlight; note how under this angle of illumination there is hardly any irridescence from the wing coverts, while in the photo above, although in the shade, various colours are visible

Common Bronzewing seen from behind; this photo gives a very clear impression of the wide-angle vision of seed-eaters that are subject to predation by raptors - even from almost straight behind the bulge of one eye is still visible

A couple of Common Bronzewings on the edge of a dirt road . The female is seen in the foreground, the male farther back; although the male is out of focus, note the splendour of his plumage (photo taken in August 2008, at the start of the breeding season)

Couple of Common Bronzewings caught by the roadside late at dusk; male in front, female in the background

This photo is a reminder of the "olden days", when Common Bronzewings were still plentiful - on this occasion we saw a total of about 50 birds

Common Bronzewings drinking from a water hole in very faint light on a rainy afternoon, just before sunset; this shot shows the amazing colours of their iridescent wing feathers even in bad light

Behaviour

Social behaviour: Communal Mobility: Sedentary Elementary unit: Pair/flock

They are quite shy and hard to approach on foot, although they do occasionally let cars get very close. While others species, such as e.g. Crested Pigeons and Peaceful Doves often stay around farms, Common Bronzewings have never been seen by us to stay close to humans. This may contribute to the fact that they are not common in parts of their former habitat any longer, possibly due to loss of habitat. In large pieces of contiguous bushland, such as e.g. the Pilliga Scrub, they are still abundant.

Food

All pigeons and doves are strictly vegetarian. Common Bronzewings are seed-eaters.