Chestnut-quilled Rock Pigeon
Chestnut Quilled Rock Pigeon ( Petrophassus rufipennis )
The Chestnut Quilled Rock Pigeon ( Petrophassus rufipennis ), also called Redwing rock dove, is a species of pigeons birds. It is native only in a small area in Australia.
Appearance
The Chestnut Quilled Rock Pigeon reaches a body length of 28-31 centimeters. In appearance it is very similar to the white dove mirror, which belongs to the same genus. Similarities also exist with the bronze wing pigeons, a genus that is also native to Australia.
The plumage of the Chestnut Quilled Rock Pigeon is mostly dark olive brown. The feathers on the head, neck, back and chest have gray stains and are lined with broad dark brown. This results in a scale-like pattern. The primaries and the large wing-coverts are very dark brown. The beak is dark gray. The iris is brown.
Distribution and behavior
The Chestnut Quilled Rock Pigeon is an endemic species in Australia. It occurs only in western Arnhem Land. Their range extends from there to the Katherine Gorge in the south to Oenpelli in the north. The Chestnut Quilled Rock Pigeon is a habitat specialist, which occurs exclusively in the vicinity of stone fields, rocky and heavily rugged terrain, gorges and sandstone plateaus. She uses this area, near which is found eucalyptus savannahs with some undergrowth and bushes. Within its limited distribution area it is locally common.
Outside the breeding season it keeps mostly in small groups of four to seven individuals. For most of the day she stays in rocky terrain and studied there for seeds. For food spectrum includes, in particular acacia seeds and the seeds of various grasses and legumes. The highest activity it shows in the early morning and late evening. During the heat of the day they often stayed in crevices or in the shade of large boulders. Their breeding season is not known exactly. Nests were found in June, July and October. The nest is unusually large and is built in the shade of overhanging rocks or in a crevice. The clutch consists of two eggs. The incubation period is 15 to 19 days. The young fledge after 21 days.