Family Pigeons, Doves (Columbidae)
Least Concern
Rufous-bellied Spinifex Pigeon (Geophaps ferruginea)
Taxonomy
French: Colombine ferrugineuse German: Rostschopftaube Spanish: Paloma plumífera herrumbrosa
Other common names:
Rufous-bellied Plumed-pigeon
Taxonomy:
Lophophaps ferruginea
Gould
, 1865,Pilbara region of Western Australia
.Distribution:
W Western Australia from De Grey R S to Gascoyne R and E to Carnarvon Range; isolated population of intergrades in W Kimberley (E to Camballin).
Descriptive notes
20–22 cm; wingspan 30–35 cm. Thin, erect crest, with red-brown crown, blue-grey forehead, white chin and face-stripe, black throat, rich red-brown back, rump, tail and wings... read more
Voice
Does not apparently differ from G. plumifera, although some authors have suggested that... read more
Habitat
Like G. plumifera is typical of arid grassland dominated by tussock-forming spinifex... read more
Food and feeding
Almost entirely granivorous; one study in Western Australia reported seeds of Poaceae (Sporobolus australasicus, Triodia... read more
Breeding
Most aspects probably similar to G. plumifera (which see). Can breed year-round, but most nesting is apparently in spring and... read more
Movements
One of the few birds of Australian arid zone that is largely sedentary, undertaking only local... read more
Status and conservation
Not globally threatened. Still common to abundant throughout much of its remote and arid range. Habitat destruction is a less serious concern than for many Australian pigeons... read more
Along with G. plumifera sometimes isolated in genus Lophophaps. Has normally been treated as conspecific with G. plumifera but present species shows no distinct narrow white band across mid-belly above narrow grey-and-black band (2), no broad white belly patch (3), and chestnut vs rufous mid-crown to hindcrown, dorsal scaling, rump to uppertail and inner webs of primaries (2); a narrow zone of intergradation exists around the Fitzroy R#R (2). Some authors have considered the variation as referring to colour morphs. Population between Kimberleys and Great Sandy Desert described as race mungi, supposedly somewhat less reddish below than individuals to SW, but considered very poorly differentiated. Monotypic.