Common Bronzewing - Highfields

05th May 2016

COMMON BRONZEWING - CHARLES & MOTEE ROGERS BUSHLAND RESERVE HIGHFIELDS

This beautiful Common Bronzewing (Phaps chalcoptera) stayed perched in the sun, long enough for me to take a few photographs of this usually easily frightened bird.  Common Bronzewing's call the Charles & Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve home, but rarely do we get a chance to get a decent photograph of them.

J.G.

Common Bronzewing (Phaps chalcoptera) Highfields (Photo J. Gray)

INFORMATION FROM BIRDS IN BACKYARDS:

Common Bronzewings are medium-sized, heavily built pigeons. The male has a yellow-white forehead and pink breast. Both sexes have a clear white line below and around the eye and patches of green, blue and red in the wing, characteristic of all bronzewings. The Common Bronzewing is a cautious pigeon, and rarely allows close approach. If startled, it flies away with a clatter, keeping low to the ground while moving in a steady, direct manner. Young Common Bronzewings are duller and browner than the adults. The metallic wing patch is absent or not easily seen.

Feeding:

The Common Bronzewing feeds on seeds and other vegetable matter. The birds feed on the ground and in small parties. These small groups need to drink frequently, and visit waterholes during either the day or night.

Breeding:

Common Bronzewings build an untidy nest of sticks and twigs. It is normally placed low down in a tree or bush, but may be up to 20 m above the ground. The creamy-white eggs are incubated by both parents. Both adults also share the care of the young birds, which are born naked and helpless and are completely dependent on their parents. Bronzewings, like other pigeons, secrete a special milk-like substance from their crop, which is fed to the young chicks.

J.G.