#geophap

[snototter]

A spinifex pigeon (Geophaps plumifera) in Alice Springs Desert Park, Australia

by Geoff Whalan

[herpsandbirds]

Spinifex Pigeon (Geophaps plumifera), family Columbidae, Watarrka National Park, NT, Australia

photograph by JJ Harrison

[birdblues]

Spinifex Pigeon

[proton-wobbler]

Spinifex Pigeon (Geophaps plumifera)

"Really cool Australian bird nobody’s ever heard of"

Also known as the Plumed-pigeon or Gannaway pigeon, the Spinifex pigeon is gregarious and sedentary, with the whole of populations restricting themselves to habitat with a nearby permanent supply of surface water. While the specialize in the spinifex habitat, it seems that spinifex seed is not entirely required in their diet, as they prefer other drought-resistant grasses and herbs.

"On occasion, this species engages in a spectacular bowing display, where the tail is spread erect like fan, the folded wings are raised and the pupils contract. The shining patches of the secondary feathers flash into view at the same time that the black outer tail feathers become visible. The display is not always directed at other individuals and may simply self-assertive. This species also has a head-shaking display that appears as a greeting between pairs and in threat to other individuals. The bird assumes a crouched over position with head lowered and crest flattened and thrusts forward shaking the bill and head." - Wikipedia, on Spinifex Pigeon behavior

Sources:

Image Source: eBird (Margot Oorebeek)

[semioptera]

Squatter Pigeon (Geophaps scripta) - Melbourne Zoo, Melbourne, Australia

[keeskiwi]

Avian August day 7 - Squatter pigeon (Geophaps scripta)

[cypherdecypher]

Animal of the Day!

Spinifex Pigeon (Geophaps plumifera)

(Photo by Mat Gilfedder)

Conservation Status- Least Concern

Habitat- Western Australia

Size (Weight/Length)- 100 g; 22 cm; 35 cm wingspan

Diet- Seeds; Leaves

Cool Facts- The spinifex pigeon might be one of the most majestic and hilarious birds I’ve ever seen. These ground pigeons have a small clump of feathers on their head that sticks directly up. The bigger the feathers, the more attractive the pigeon. Spinifex pigeons live in small flocks in shared territories near small sources of water in their arid homeland. Funnily enough, spinifex pigeons perform a bowing behavior with their wings spread out and their irredescent neck feathers flashing. However, this behavior is not done towards other pigeons and is instead believed to increase the pigeon’s confidence before interacting with the rest of its flock.

Rating- 12/10 (What a lovely, little lad.)

Requested by Anonymous (Happy Birthday Anon!!)

[columbidaecontest]

[ID: the Spinifex pigeon, bright orange, white, black, grey, and red, with a big feather spike on it's head. stands on some rocks. the Thick-billed ground pigeon, upperbody blue-grey, and lower body white and orange, with red eyes, walks over the forest floor]

[nunoxaviermoreira]

Spinifex pigeon (Geophaps plumifera) by barnesjc Cloncurry, Queensland, Australia https://flic.kr/p/Q88Vyw

[fascinator-birds]

Spinifex Pigeon (Geophaps plumifera)

© Ged Tranter

[hello-birdies]

Geophaps plumifera by Julian Robinson

[bird-sensei]

[herpsandbirds]

Spinifex Pigeon (Geophaps plumifera), family Columbidae, Australia

photograph by Darren Stephens

[birdblues]

Spinifex Pigeon

[typhlonectes]

Spinifex Pigeon (Geophaps plumifera) 

This pigeon’s name refers to the spinifex plant, which provides this bird with food and shelter: it eats the plant’s seeds and uses its stems to build nests. Distinguished by its tall crest, this Australian species tends to live in dry, open habitats close to water. It spends most of its time on land, roosting and foraging on the ground rather than in the air or in the trees. Its patterned, rusty-brown plumage helps it camouflage and avoid foes.

Photo: Brian McCauley, CC BY-NC 2.0, flickr

via: American Museum of Natural History

[samuelhumphreys]

Squatter pigeon. 🔎 (Geophaps scripta). ⏳ Conservation Status: Least Concern. Population decreasing. 🗺 Endemicity: Australia. 📷 Chewko, Queensland. – – #squatterpigeon #pigeon #squatter #birdsofaustralia #australia #queensland #endemicbirds #birdsofinstagram #naturephotography #birds #birdphotography #thewettropics #nature #photography (at Chewko, Queensland, Australia) https://www.instagram.com/p/BqHrjb8nXve/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1lyu7s14arzy3