Common Bronzewings foraging under wattles Gardiners Creek Melbourne Australia 5 May 2022 P3470258 9

The Common Bronzewing (Phaps chalcoptera) is a medium sized pigeon found throughout most parts of Australia [not found in waterless regions or dense rainforest]. It feeds on seeds and other vegetation, foraging on the ground and drinking water frequently.

The male Common Bronzewing plumage shows a clearly marked head with forehead yellow-white and remainder chestnut. The male also has a pink breast, whereas the female plumage is duller over the head and greyer on the breast. Both sexes have a clear white line below and around the eye and the beautifully marked iridescent panels in the wing feathers which are characteristic of Bronzewing pigeons. The under wing feathers are a paler pinkish brown.

This pair of Common Bronzewing pigeons were filmed as they foraged along the open track under seeding wattle trees for more than 15 minutes.

During this time both the female and the male Common Bronzewing were harassed intermittently by the local group of Noisy Miners (Manorina melanocephala). On each occasion the Common Bronzewing being harassed lifted its wings above its back showing the large area of paler pinkish brown underwing. The Noisy Miners then moved slightly away but returned to repeat the attacks as the Common Bronzewing pair continued to walk through the open ground story looking for food.

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