Partridge Pigeon
A species of Australian Ground Pigeons Scientific name : Geophaps smithii Genus : Australian Ground Pigeons
Partridge Pigeon, A species of Australian Ground Pigeons
Botanical name: Geophaps smithii
Genus: Australian Ground Pigeons
Content
Description General Info
Description
The partridge pigeon (Geophaps smithii) is a species of bird in the family Columbidae. It is endemic to Australia. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry shrubland and subtropical or tropical dry lowland grassland. It is threatened by habitat loss. There are two subspecies. They differ in face colour.
Size
28 cm
Nest Placement
Ground
Feeding Habits
Partridge Pigeon have a granivorous diet, consuming seeds of grasses like Eriachne and legumes, including both native and introduced species. They forage exclusively on the ground in groups, visit water daily, and exhibit seasonal variations in social feeding behavior.
Habitat
The partridge Pigeon predominantly inhabits well-watered tropical woodlands and open forests characterized by an understory of Acacia and Terminalia and a ground layer of heavy leaf litter interspersed with grassy clearings. It thrives in environments where periodic fires create a landscape mosaic, which in turn supports a rich variety of grasses that provide seeds throughout the year. These birds are commonly observed in freshly-burned patches of grassland, near roads, or in areas with shorter grasses, favoring regions with tall perennial grasses that set seed early in the season.
Dite type
Granivorous