Spinifex Pigeon

1. Tall, thin, upright crest on the head

2. Bright red face mask with white chinstrap and black throat

3. Rusty-brown plumage with black barring on wings and back

Spinifex Pigeons are ground foragers, feeding mainly on seeds from drought-resistant grasses and herbs, with little reliance on spinifex itself. They are highly adapted to dry conditions, extracting moisture from their food and travelling only short distances to water. Breeding can occur year-round but peaks after rain, when food is most plentiful. Nests are simple scrapes lined with grass, hidden under spinifex or rocks. The female usually lays two cream-coloured eggs, and both parents share incubation for about 16–18 days. Chicks are covered in down and leave the nest at 7–9 days old, becoming independent within a few weeks. Large populations can form after rain, but numbers drop during severe droughts.

Spinifex Pigeons are found throughout arid and semi-arid northern and central Australia, favouring rocky hills, gorges, and stony plains where spinifex grass dominates. They are rarely far from permanent water sources, including natural waterholes and man-made troughs. Look for them running on the ground, often in small groups, especially near water in the early morning and late afternoon. Their camouflage makes them hard to spot until they suddenly burst into flight.