Vol 2 JUNE 30, 1964 No.3

Pigeons of the Woolgoolga District, New South Wales By L. HOLLAND, Woolgoolga, New South Wales. Australia contains approximately 24 species of pigeons and doves of which nine are found in the Woolgoolga area. Observa­ tions of an intermittent nature have been carried out over the last three years on the local representatives of this colourful group, resulting in the accumulation of a number of interestin~ f~cts. This paper is an effort to place on record the status and distnbu­ tion of the species in this district. Woolgoolga is situated on the coast, 37 miles to the south-east of Grafton on the north coast of New South Wales. Rugged and picturesque ranges flank the township to the west. Between the ranges and the coast, a distance of about three miles, open forest, cleared and partly cleared lands, and banana plantations are to be found, all of which provide suitable habitat for pigeons. The geographical position of a number of localities, some frequently, others only occasionally, visited by me and referred to in this paper, are set out below. My father's farm is situated two miles inland from the town; rain forest lies one and a half miles west of the farm and the waterfall is six hundred yards south-west of the rain forest; Thorn Creek lies five miles north­ west of the farm, and the swinging bridge is three miles west of the rain forest. Except for the farm, which comprises wet sclerophyll and cleared and cultivated land, the remainder of the localities are semi-tropical bush. Four types of habitat have been defined, viz: Brush or rain forest, confined to the gullies and flats of the ranges; Open forest, forest-land with little or no ground growth, lying chiefly on the ridge-tops of the ranges; Wet Sclerophyll Forest, forest-land with a good growth of ferns and lantana for ground cover: Settled Areas, includes pockets of suitable habitat in Woolgoolga, as well as cultivated areas, banana plantations, and gardens and lawns about houses. The table shows the approximate status of each species in the respective habitats. Breeding probably takes place fairly freely among the more sedentary species though I have not any records of breeding. I have, however, found a number of old nests of pigeons in the brush country, but I was unable to identify the species. It is interesting to note that in the three years of observation 62 HOLLAND, Pigeons of the W oolgoolga District llird Watcher that I have done on the Lyrebird Menura novae-hollandiae, I have not credited any individual with having reproduced the call-notes of any of the Columbiformes. It is not because our pigeons are infrequent callers, as the call of the Noisy Pitta, a favourite with Menura, is less frequently heard than that of, say, the Wonga Pigeon. Open Wet Settled Species Brush Forest Sclerophyll Areas . common Red-crowned Pigeon . common rare Wompoo Pigeon . rare very rare White-headed Pigeon uncommon Brown Pigeon common common common rare Peaceful Dove rare uncommon Bar-shouldered Dove uncommon common Green-winged Pigeon rare rare very rare Wonga Pigeon uncommon uncommon uncommon uncommon

Lopholaimus antarcticus. Topknot Pigeon: This is one of the shyest pigeons in this district and one has, at times, to apply the same cautious method of stalking or ap­ proach that is effective with Lyrebirds. Between feeding sessions they usually select the open branches of the tallest trees to perch, thus having an uninterrupted view of their surroundings. The number of Topknot Pigeons varies according to the season. The ripening of the berries of the bangalow palm appear to govern the movements of these in this district. Usually they are found in small numbers, but between the months of March and September large flocks may be seen. In April, 1961, I saw 200 birds west of the waterfall ; in April, 1962, at the Swinging Bridge, 40 were seen; in June, 1962, 50 flew over us at Station Creek, ten miles north of Woolgoolga; later that same day, 45 flew over our farm. The two latter flocks were both going north, probably on migration. These numbers are approximate. Birds in flight have been recorded between April and September, with May and June the chief months of activity. No consistent following of the one direction was apparent, the birds were just flying in any direction, probably after new feeding grounds. The moving birds vary in number from individuals up to parties of 50. In flight they resemble King Parrots ( Aprosmictus scapularis), and, when seen at a distance, it is necessary to look carefully to identify the correct species. Between May and August, 1961, I kept a record of birds on migration, all of which were sighted"from the farm. On May 29, 12 flew north; the next day, nine flew south-west; in June, two flew east on the 2nd, and on the 28th, four flew north, then turned west; two days later 18 fl ew from the south-west towards Woolgoolga. None was seen in July. On August 3, about 50 flew north-east; on 6th one flew south. My latest record of birds on migration is for September 1, 1960, when 40 bi"rds flew north. Although these movements may be governed by the food The Bar-shouldered Dove (Geopelia humeralis) at its nest, which was built m a pal m tree.

Plate II. Photo hy Roy 1' . Cooper. 64 HOLLAND, Pigeons of the W oolgoolga District [ Bird Watcher

supply, one fact is clear, the birds show a preference for migration on rainy or overcast days. The berries of the bangalow palm, which is widespread through­ out the brushes of this district, constitute the larger portion of the diet of this species. In an unripened state the berries are pale green, but when ripe they change to a bright crimson, at which time they are eaten by the "flock pigeons", which is their local name. The birds are very wasteful in their feeding. In the case of a large flock, a number of birds will attack the same bunch of berries and in the scramble that follows much of the fruit is scattered. Every now and then one or two birds will vigorously beat their wings to keep their balance, and this adds to the fall of berries which, audible at a distance, sounds like rain. The watercourses beneath the feeding places are littered with hundreds of crimson berries, giving a remarkable effect in the shallow water. Unfortunately, because of their large number and palatable flesh, they are persecuted by the so-called "sportsman", who, however, often return empty-handed by reason of the extreme wariness of the birds. An elderly chap, who lives the life of a recluse west of our farm, told me of an occasion when he followed a flock across creeks, ridges, and gullies without, at any time, getting even a good view of the birds. During the chase he was mostly screened by the dense foliage of the brushes, but this did not hide him from the Pigeons. [ have no record of hearing them call, and it is apparent that the call must be infrequent and irregular. Ptilinopus regina. Red-crowned Pigeon. This species appears to be a fairly regular migrant to this district, arriving in late Spring and departing in late Summer or early Autumn. It is very difficult to define the period of its presence here because of the remarkable way in which its plumage blends with its surroundings. Frith (Emu, 52 : 89-99) says, "when they are feeding, the dropping of fallen fruits is a general clue to a bird's location, but when it flies, the greens and yellows of its plumage blend perfectly with the foliage and the bird is most difficult to locate". The truth of this statement is very evident in this district, for although it is fairly plentiful by sound I have seen it on three occasions only. The first was on November 20, 1960; the second, December 19, of the same year, and the third, probably an immature bird, was on December 16, 1962. I have heard the call on numerous occasions. Of all the localities I have visited, Thorn Creek provided the most "pink-heads", as they are known locally. On December 8, 1962, I spent about two hours there and heard a SCOltt '.o'r so of the birds calling. Eight days later I again visited that area and recorded a like number, though many more than recorded were probably present. Their calls are frequently uttered during the day, especially at early morning and in the late afternoon. The call is generally a series of "coos", about eight in number, uttered June ] HOLLAND, Pigeons of the W oolgoolga District 65 1964 with an upward and then downward inflection. The second call, not so frequently made, is a melancholy two-part, four syllable one. Megaloprepia magnifica. Wompoo Pigeon. Many Australian birds have plumage so beautiful that it is difficult to find words to do justice to them. In this respect the Wompoo Pigeon ranks high, and yet, in spite of its colourful beauty, it is difficult to locate it among the dense foliage of the brushes. Were it not for its call, a bubbly, gutteral "gwa-la-bull-oo", it would be even more difficult to find. It is this call that has caused it to be known as "Bubbly-Mary". It is by no means plentiful, though a fair number exist around Thorn Creek. Prior to my first visit to that area I would have said their status was dangerously low. I had one record for November, 1961, a report from a friend in April, 1962, and a sight observation in September, 1962. But at Thorn Creek on December 8 and 16, 1962, I found it to be plentiful. Because the species lacks the nomadic instincts of the Topknot Pigeon it is "bound to its ever-decreasing scrubs, where it either passes with them or is relentlessly, illegally shot." (Frith). The overall length of the bird is about 19 inches, some two to three inches greater than that of the White-headed Pigeon (a species with nomadic tendencies), and yet its wing-span is slightly less than this species. However, as with certain other pigeons a slight local movement from the brushes to the more open areas closer to the coast occurs. Although I know of only one stronghold of this pigeon in the Woolgoolga area, ther~may -4-Je others. A lot of suitable country is still to be explored. Columba norfolciensis. White-headed Pigeon. The general habits of this species agree with those of the Topknot Pigeon, and it needs more than a glimpse of the bird in flight to distinguish it from the latter. Close examination, however, reveals it to differ noticeably in colouration from Lopholaimus antarcticus, particularly with its snow-white head, which is respons­ sible for its nickname "Baldy". It is not as plentiful as the Topknot Pigeon, the flocks rarely exceeding a score. The numbers fluctuate considerably in this district, probably according to the ripening of the various berries on which it feeds. On December 18, 1959, about 20 were present in the rain forest. One week later a few were seen between the rain forest and the waterfall. Two were seen in the rain forest in 1961, and in March, 1962, about 20 were seen in the same area. My only positive record of birds in movement was on June 8, 1961, when two flew in a north, north-easterly direction across our farm. My acquaintance with the species has not been close because of its infrequent appearances. I have always seen them in the upper foliage of trees and have never seen them, as Caley (What Bird is That?) records, upon the ground. It is a shy bird and is 66 HOLLAND, Pigeons of the W oolgoolga District [ Bird Watcher very cautious when approached. To date I have no record of its call. If it does call it must be very rarely. A report of an albino White-headed Pigeon reached me in late December, 1959. It was first seen by a reliable observer who also noted it on several occasions subsequently. It kept with the main flock always and its behaviour was the same as that of the other birds. Macropygia phasianella. Brown Pigeon. This species is fairly common though not frequently seen. lt prefers the op~n forest adjacent to the brushes, where their main item of diet, the wild tobacco, grows in quantities. This habit has often caused the birds to put in a temporary appearance in tracts of suitable forest right down to the coast. An unusual observation was made on February 16, 1963, when a single Brown Pigeon was seen to pass over the Woolgoolga Cricket Ground while a match was in progress. Adorned with chocolate brown plumage, the "Brownies" are inconspicuous when perched in the dense foliage of the brushes but when in the open country the birds are easily seen. Although a common species the flocks rarely exceed a score in number. Usually they are seen in numbers ranging from individuals to a dozen. The congregation of the flocks is usually centred around tobacco trees, where feeding takes place during the later afternoon or early morning. For several months prior to August, 1960, there appeared to be a distinct increase in the population of these birds in the rain forest and adjacent areas, and it was not uncommon to see flocks in the double figures. No similar concentration has been noted since. During August and September 1962, the species was frequently recorded on our farm and nearby, but since then it has been seen only rarely. The population of the species outside the rain forest area is small. Their quiet and retiring habits would account for failure to record many large groups. When flushed they depart with a fairly rapid and direct flight. Cayley states "the species spends much time on the ground feeding on fallen seeds and berries". That state­ ment, if true of other areas, does not apply to our district where the birds, as far as I know, do not come down onto the ground . Their call is an infrequently uttered "oop-a-whoop". Chalcophaps chrysochlora. Green-winged Pigeon. This is probably the rarest of all the pigeons of this district. My first observation, made several years ago, was on the farm. Then on April 27, 1960, one was seen in a tobacco tree near the rain forest. Although I was standing only a few yards, it took no notice of me, but bobbed its head in a manner reminding me of waders. Since then it has occasionally come under notice, usually in the dense brushes, where it generally remains undetected. Most of my records are for individuals, although it is likely that where one bird was seen there probably were two. They almost refuse to be put to flight, remaining quietly on the ground where T he Brown Pigeon (Macropygia phasiane!la) constructed its nest on a dead branch lying in a tree in the jungle.

Plate 12. Photo hy Roy P. Cooper. 68 HOLLAND, Pigeons of the W oolgoolga District [ Bird Watcher they watch the observer intently. I have not heard them call. Leucosarcia melanoleuca. Wonga Pigeon. Most of the pigeons mentioned in this paper, unless exposed in open situations, are extremely difficult to see, simply because their plumage blends perfectly with the dense brushes in which they live. But the Wonga Pigeon is as well camouflaged in the open as in the dense brush. Not only is the plumage obliterative, but it has several other means of protection as described in the two following instances. In early 1961 we were busy collecting fishing gear from under the house and packing it into our car. Less than a chain away a Wonga had been feeding under some loquat trees. When we commenced to move about, it walked quickly over to a nearby shadow and, facing us, squatted down to keep an eye on things. It remained there for some minutes even when we drove close past it. When we had gone, my mother, from the kitchen window, watched it resume feeding. The other instance concerns another individual feeding near the same spot when 1 drove the tractor past. My brother told me that as the tractor drew near the bird quickly slipped into the shadow of the water tank, where it crouched on the ground, again facing me, until I had passed, when it recommenced feeding. It is quite likely to have been the same bird on both occasions. Although situated almost two miles from the nearest brush, Wonga Pigeons are frequently seen on our farm, in the wet sclerophyll forest, banana plantation and about our house. During AugEst, 1960, I heard them calling frequently in the early mornings in the forest south of our house, and since then I have seen them on many occasions. At first only two birds were seen and one would visit our house. Since then their numbers have increased to six, although as a rule only one or two are seen at a time. They have found that the banana plantations are just as rich feeding grounds as the brushes, not only with respect to life, but also to seeds of different plants according to the seasons. Frequently I have met Wongas feeding in our plantation. As long as I remain still they will stay on the ground, though quickly moving to another spot. The birds appear about our house at times when there is no apparent activity on our part, although the radio may be playing. On wet days or just after a shower, they will come close without much hesitation. Watching from the window I have seen birds feed right up to the house, picking up seeds, small worms and . I have also seen them try to eat pumpkin seeds, only succeeding when the seeds were small enough to be swallowed whole. The flight of the Wonga is direct and quail-like, being always accompanied by the loud clapping noises of the wings. The clapping lasts only for a few wing-beats. When alighting on the ground it volplanes, with wings outspread and lightly curved down, the first few primaries pointing to the ground in front of the bird. When it alights in a tree it perches either back or side on to the June J HOLLAND, Pigeons of the W oolgoolga District 69 1964 observer. If back on, it nervously watches, turning first one eye then the other to the watcher. If side on parallel with the limb, 1t remains perfectly still. Wonga Pigeons are not common in this district. They probably never were and never will be. The late Crosbie Morrison, in his revision of Leach's bird book (9th ed., p. 17) said that one of his most vivid memories of the bush was to see the "stately full-bodied Wonga" walking "with stately stride ahead of us on the bush tracks". I experienced the same feeling early one morning in March, 1962, when a Wonga fed to within eight feet of me without showing any concern at all as I stood alone on a bush track. Geopelia placida. Peaceful Dove. By no means plentiful. Being nomadic it puts in an appearance at irregular intervals both in Woolgoolga and on our farm. In the township it is usually seen in small numbers on the roadside or the camping reserves, places where it finds an abundance of seed. The tennis court at the back of our house is a favourite haunt of this bird when it visits our farm. The call note is not frequently uttered. G. hwneralis. Bar-shouldered Dove. This is an extremely beautiful bird whose beauty is not apparent until a close study of it can be made. It is particularly common on our farm, flocks of up to a dozen being seen occasionally. It is frequently seen on cultivations and in our banana plantation, feeding on the seeds of the various weeds. Like a number of other birds it is a frequent visitor to the house and it often associates with other species of doves OJl. _our tennis court. It is a sedentary species. """ Streptopelia c!zinensis. Indian Turtledove. This is also a stationary species being distinguishable from G. humeralis by its plainer plumage. Although common on our farm it is only found in the vicinity of human habitation, although num­ bers may be seen in open places adjacent to creeks. It breeds fa irly freely, its nests being placed in cockspur or lantana bushes.

Powerful Owl in Sherbrook. On June 28, 1964, a (Ninox strenua) was observed perched in a tree near the fire-break in Sherbrooke Forest. It was at a height of approxi­ mately 40 feet, in a large blackwood tree, and it was sitting on a limb clutching in its talons the remains of a ring-tailed possum. The Owl was under observation for several hours, during which time it remained in the same position. As this bird is a nocturnal predator, it would appear that any food obtained, that is in excess of its immediate requirements, is held in its claws until the next night. This theory is supported by the number of other observations that have been recorded of the Owl perched with food held in its talons, without any attempt being made to eat it. - Roy P. Cooper, Melbourne, Victoria. 29 /6 / 1964.