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Diamond Dove

(Geopelia cuneata)
Alternative names: "Little Dove", "Red-eyed Dove"; Misnomer: "Turtle-dove"
Size: 20-24 cm

Habitat
(for details refer to a field guide)

Diamond Doves are well adapted to living in the Australian interior. Their range extends over most of the continent, except the southern extremities. They are not found in the southern parts of VIC and WA and the south-western half of SA (mostly around the Nullarbor and to the west of it). They are only rarely found in the rest of the southern half of WA.

Diamond Doves are usually found near water courses in various types of environment, mostly in the semi-arid plains of the interior, but also in hill ranges.

Sightings

Diamond Doves, although nominally present over most of the Australian continent, are not routinely observed by us in the area of Narrabri, NSW. The first sighting was in March 2008, near Narran Lakes, some 50 km west of Walgett, NSW. From there on, we spotted them in several locations along the Darling river (downstream), as well as Mt. Gundabooka National Park, some 50 km south of Bourke, NSW. There were no sightings further west or north-west, towards Broken Hill. This was at a time when the Darling River was starting to stream and had barely reached the weirs that need to overflow to feed the lakes at Menindee.

Spotted 20 km south-east of Narrabri in December 2008 and 20 km east of Narrabri in May 2009. At the latter location first one bird appeared, then a second shortly afterwards.

Photos

Male Diamond Dove (left) with two females, feeding on a dirt road

Lateral view of a male Diamond Dove

Diamond Dove seen 20 km east of Narrabri

Diamond Dove seen from behind

Behaviour

Social behaviour: Communal Mobility: Sedentary/dispersive Elementary unit: Pair/family

Diamond Doves are not shy at all and let people (and also cars) approach very closely. Being seedeaters, Diamond Doves are often found foraging by the sides of gravel or dirt roads.

We have observed a Diamond Dove flapping its wings, either both or only one, while sitting in a tree, possibly for cooling blood vessels in near-40 degree heat (see photos below).

Diamond Dove flapping both wings...

... or just one.

Food

All pigeons and doves are strictly vegetarian. Diamond Doves are seed-eaters.