White-headed Pigeon

1. Males have a stark white head, neck, and breast with dark wings and back; females and juveniles show more grey smudging

2. Distinctive red or pink eye-ring and pale bill with a reddish base

3. Often seen perched on power lines or exposed branches near fruiting trees or at forest edges

White-headed Pigeons are fruit specialists, feeding mainly on rainforest fruits and seeds, with a strong preference for the berries of the introduced Camphor Laurel tree. They are generally shy, feeding high in the canopy, but may come to the ground for fallen fruit or grains. These pigeons are usually seen alone, in pairs, or small flocks, but can gather in larger groups at abundant food sources. Breeding mostly occurs from August to December, with pairs building a simple platform of twigs high in dense foliage or tangled vines. Only one white egg is laid, and both parents share incubation and care for the chick, which fledges in about three weeks.

White-headed Pigeons are found from Cape York Peninsula in Queensland to southern New South Wales, and increasingly into eastern Victoria. They favour the edges of rainforests, wet eucalypt forests, and nearby cleared or agricultural areas, especially where Camphor Laurel trees are present. They are often seen at dawn and dusk flying to and from feeding sites, or perched conspicuously on high branches or power lines. They also visit suburban gardens and farmland, especially after rain when they sun themselves in the open.