Spinifex Pigeon

The Spinifex Pigeon is a small, compact pigeon warmly colored in rich cinnamon and rufous tones, finely barred with black across the back and wings, giving it excellent camouflage against the red earth and spinifex hummocks of its arid habitat. A tall, slender, pointed crest rises from the crown, and the face is boldly marked with patches of bare red skin around the eye set against black-and-white facial stripes.

Well adapted to life in Australia's harshest deserts, it is usually found in small groups near rocky outcrops and gorges, where it can access both spinifex seed and reliable water sources, running rather than flying when disturbed and blending remarkably well into the red, rocky landscape.

Key field marks

• Rich cinnamon-rufous plumage finely barred with black
• Tall, slender, pointed crest
• Bold red bare skin around the eye contrasting with black-and-white face markings
• Small, compact, ground-hugging build

Similar species

• Crested Pigeon is larger, grey-brown rather than cinnamon, and lacks the bold red facial skin.
• No other Australian pigeon shares its combination of rufous coloring and tall crest in arid spinifex habitat.

Habitat

Restricted to arid and semi-arid spinifex grassland, stony ground, and rocky gorges and outcrops, usually near a reliable water source.

Range

Found across the arid interior of northern and central Australia, including parts of Western Australia, the Northern Territory, and northern South Australia.

Migration

Sedentary, though it may move locally in response to the availability of water, particularly during dry periods.

Behavior

Usually encountered in small groups, running quickly across open, rocky ground and freezing or crouching to rely on camouflage rather than flying when disturbed; visits waterholes regularly, often at set times of day.

Voice

A soft, low cooing call, along with sharper notes given in alarm.

Feeding

Feeds on the seeds of spinifex and other arid-zone grasses and plants, foraged by walking on open, stony ground.

Nesting

Lays eggs in a simple scrape on the ground, often sheltered by a spinifex clump or rock; lays 2 cream-colored eggs.