Brush Bronzewing
NameBrush Bronzewing
Common NameBrush Bronzewing
Scientific NamePhaps elegans
FamilyColumbidae
Wingspan (cm)43
Length (cm)29
Weight (g)160
Plumage DetailsMales have an olive-brown back and wings with a prominent iridescent bronze-green to purple patch on the wing coverts. Their head features a yellowish-orange crown, a dark eye-stripe, a white throat, and a chestnut-red breast band. Females are duller with a greyish crown and less vibrant chestnut markings.
Vocalization / CallIts vocalization is a low, mournful 'oo-oom' or 'coo-coo-coo' call, often repeated and somewhat ventriloquial.
Primary Dietgranivore
Primary Habitatsforest, grassland, coastal
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeEndemic to southern Australia, including Tasmania, and parts of Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, and New South Wales, typically found in dense scrub, heathland, and woodlands.
Identifying FeaturesIridescent bronze-green wing patch, Yellowish-orange crown (male), White throat and dark eye-stripe, Chestnut breast band (male), Stocky, ground-dwelling pigeon appearance
Description
The Brush Bronzewing is a small, stocky ground-dwelling pigeon known for its distinctive iridescent bronze-green wing patches. It typically forages on the ground in dense undergrowth, often seen singly or in pairs, and is generally shy.
