White-quilled Rock-Pigeon

1. Rusty brown to grey-brown plumage with pale facial stripes and a subtle scaly pattern

2. Large white wing patches that flash brilliantly in flight

3. Loud, clattering wing sound on take-off

These pigeons feed mainly on seeds from wattles, native grasses, and sedges, foraging on the ground in the cooler parts of the day. They are well adapted to arid conditions and can survive by utilising morning dew on rocks when water is scarce. Breeding can occur almost year-round when conditions permit. Nests are typically simple platforms of twigs or lined with spinifex grass, hidden among rocks in either sun or shade. The female lays two creamy white eggs, which are incubated for 17 to 19 days. Chicks are covered in sand-coloured down, providing camouflage against predators.

White-quilled Rock Pigeons are found exclusively in the sandstone and limestone plateaus of the Kimberley region in Western Australia and the Ord-Victoria area of the Northern Territory. They inhabit rocky escarpments, gorges, and sandstone towers, often near permanent water sources. Dawn and dusk are the best times to see them as they descend from high rocky roosts to forage on the ground. During the heat of the day, they rest in shade on cliff faces or sandstone towers. Their distinctive wing clatter often reveals their presence before they are seen.