Northern
Southern
Squatter Pigeon Geophaps scripta
What do they look like ? Brown birds , about 25 cm tall with a white belly that extends up onto the ‘ shoulders ’. Distinctive black and white facial markings , and an eye ring that is either blue ( south ) or orange ( north ). As the name suggests , they often squat on the ground when approached .
Where do they live ? They are ground-dwelling birds . They are most common in open woodlands throughout the region , especially near water sources , such as dams and rivers . The southern subspecies ( blue eye ring ) is threatened in Queensland because they have disappeared from much of their former range ( to NSW border ).
What do they need to live , eat and breed ? Squatter Pigeons mainly eat seeds but also take insects . They require water to drink every day or so . They make their nests on the ground , usually partly sheltered by grass , a log or low shrubs . They sleep on the ground in small groups .
When might I see ( or hear ) them ? Squatter Pigeons are commonly seen on roads and station tracks and are best observed from a vehicle as they allow close approach . They usually visit water points in the morning to drink and this is a good opportunity to observe them .
What management actions affect this species ? Because of their ground dwelling habits , maintenance of a mixed ground layer to provide shelter and nest camouflage and healthy native pastures as food sources are important for Squatter Pigeons . Broad scale tree clearing , overgrazing and foxes have contributed to population declines in southern areas .
How do they benefit the land I manage ? Along with many seed eaters , Squatter Pigeons help spread and germinate some perennial grass seeds through topsoil disturbance or direct transportation of seeds that stick onto feet or feathers . They also help perennial grass species by selectively feeding on the prolific seed produced by annual grasses and sedges .
Similar species : Common Bronzewing ( Phaps elegans ), Bar-shouldered Dove ( Geopelia humeralis ).
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