Geopelia humeralis
The Bar-shouldered Dove (Geopelia humeralis) is a striking medium-sized dove, typically measuring 26-30 cm in length and weighing between 90-140 grams. Its most distinctive field mark is the iridescent purplish-bronze to green-bronze barring that adorns its nape and sides of the neck, extending onto its shoulders, setting it apart from other Australian doves. It features a grey cap, a reddish-brown back, and similarly colored underparts, often with a paler belly. A prominent blue-grey eye rin...
This adaptable species primarily inhabits tropical and subtropical open woodlands, forests, savannas, and riparian zones. It is frequently found in low-lying areas, often near water sources, and has successfully adapted to suburban parks and gardens.
Their diet primarily consists of seeds from grasses and other plants, supplemented with fallen fruits and small invertebrates, all gleaned from the ground.
Bar-shouldered Doves are diurnal birds, frequently observed foraging on the ground with a characteristic steady, head-bobbing walk, and roosting communally in trees at night. Their foraging strategy primarily involves gleaning for seeds, fallen fruits, and small invertebrates, often concentrating...
The Bar-shouldered Dove is widely distributed across northern and eastern Australia, extending from the Kimberley region of Western Australia, through the Northern Territory, across Queensland, and southward along the eastern coast of New South Wales. Its range also includes southern New Guinea, ...
Least Concern
- The Bar-shouldered Dove's distinctive iridescent purplish-bronze barring is unique among Australian doves, making it easy to identify. - Its three-note call is often phonetically transcribed as 'cook-a-wook' or 'holy-cow,' a familiar sound in the Australian bush. - Despite its ground-foraging h...