Brown Cuckoo-Dove

1. Long, tapering tail distinguishes it from other Australian pigeons.

2. Females exhibit distinct dark scalloping on the breast and chestnut-coloured cap.

3. The characteristic "whoop-a whoop" call is often heard before the bird is seen.

These birds primarily feed on fruits, berries, and seeds from both native plants and introduced weeds. They are adept at hanging upside-down to access fruit in trees, using their long tails for balance. Breeding occurs mainly from July to December. Their nests are simple platforms of sticks placed in trees or shrubs, where females lay a single white egg. Both parents incubate the egg for 16–18 days, with fledglings leaving the nest after about 16 days but remaining dependent for some time afterward.

Brown Cuckoo-Doves inhabit rainforests, wet sclerophyll forests, regrowth areas, and forest edges across northeastern and eastern Australia, from Cape York to southeastern New South Wales. They are commonly found feeding on fruiting plants such as Wild Tobacco and Lantana in disturbed areas. Active during early morning and late afternoon, they are relatively tame and can be observed closely when approached.