White-quilled Rock-Pigeon Petrophassa albipennis Scientific name definitions

28–30 cm; male 106–156 g, female 103–145 g. Plump ground-dwelling pigeon with long rounded tail and short, broad wings that often droop below tail when perched; forehead  , crown and nape mottled grey-brown ; lores glossy black, bordered above by a fine white line  extending from base of bill and curving around behind eye, and bordered below by a second white line from base of bill, extending below eye and curving over top of ear-coverts; chin and throat black, with fine white spots; rest of head and neck brownish grey; upper body  , tail and upperwing-coverts dark brown with narrow buff edging, forming scaly appearance; remiges black-brown; prominent white patch  on outer primaries conspicuous in flight, mostly hidden when wing is folded; bill black; legs purplish black. Considerable individual variation, with some birds appearing more dusky grey and others more reddish brown; former appear to be mainly females. Juvenile closely resembles adult, but has narrow rufous margins to upperwing-coverts. Race boothi has wing patch greatly reduced or absent; underparts darker brown than upperparts, with distinct paler scaling.

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Editor's Note: Additional distribution information for this taxon can be found in the 'Subspecies' article above. In the future we will develop a range-wide distribution article.

Rocky sandstone and limestone plateaux and associated gullies, and escarpments  . Often on bare rocks  ; the associated vegetation is arid open woodland and spinifex grassland. Usually not far from permanent water.

Apparently undertakes only local foraging movements. Like P. rufipennis, takes off with a characteristic wing clatter, and flies with alternate flaps and glides.

Granivorous; takes seeds from a variety of plants, depending on availability; important plant families include Fabaceae (Acacia, Desmodium), Cyperaceae, Poaceae and Zygophyllaceae. Forages on the ground.

Poorly documented. Advertising call said to be a somewhat musical phrase, e.g. “coo-coo roo roo coo roo”, sometimes with fewer notes. Also a call reminiscent of human laughter (3 Gibbs, D., E. Barnes, and J. Cox (2001). Pigeons and Doves: A Guide to the Pigeons and Doves of the World. Pica Press, Robertsbridge, UK. Close ).

Apparently occurs all year round; nests found in all months except Feb, Apr, Sept and Dec. Nest variable, some being scant platforms of twigs with little or no lining, others more substantial with lining of spinifex; also nests in hollows scooped in the ground and lined with grass; nest placed among rocks, in exposed or shaded location. Lays 2 creamy white eggs; incubation 17–19 days; hatchling weighs 4·5 g and is covered with sand-coloured down, darkest on head; at 12 days, chicks can run and hide if nest disturbed; may leave nest permanently at 15 days; development in aviary birds is similar to P. rufipennis.

Not globally threatened. No population estimates available. Reported to be common around Jasper Gorge in mid-1970s but may have declined since then. The greatest threat may be feral cats, which are numerous within the species' very small range.