Wonga pigeon

Scientific name: Leucosarcia melanoleuca

IUCN listed as: Least Concern

Learn before you visit!

Here are some facts about the species – Discover what they eat, find out about their natural habitat, see what they like to do, and more… Set the reading style to suit you too, everyday speak or something aimed towards children.

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Everyday

Diet

Wonga pigeons primarily feed on seeds, fruits, and occasionally insects found on the forest floor. Their diet includes a variety of native plant species such as wild figs, berries, and small seeds. They forage on the ground, using their strong bills to crack open seeds and nuts, and they may also pluck fruits directly from trees.

Wonga pigeons eat seeds, fruits like wild berries and figs, and sometimes tiny insects they find on the ground. They crack open seeds with their strong beaks and sometimes pluck fruits straight from trees.

Breeding

Wonga pigeons form monogamous pairs during the breeding season. They build a flimsy nest of twigs, usually located in the dense foliage of trees, where the female lays a single white egg. Both parents take turns incubating the egg and caring for the chick, which hatches after about 16-18 days. The chick fledges in approximately 14-16 days after hatching.

Wonga pigeons pair up during breeding time and build their nests from twigs in the trees. The mum lays one white egg, and both parents take turns keeping it warm until it hatches. When the chick comes out of the egg, they both look after it until it’s ready to fly on its own.

Habitat

Wonga pigeons inhabit dense subtropical and temperate rainforests, particularly in eastern Australia. They prefer areas with thick undergrowth and tall trees where they can forage for food on the forest floor. These pigeons are particularly associated with habitats that have a variety of fruiting trees and shrubs throughout the year.

Wonga pigeons live in thick forests in eastern Australia. They like places with lots of plants and tall trees where they can find food on the ground. They especially like places where there are many different fruits and seeds to eat.

At the zoo

In zoos, wonga pigeons are housed in aviaries that mimic their natural forest habitat. These aviaries contain dense vegetation, trees for perching, and platforms for nesting. They are provided with a varied diet that includes seeds, fruits, and occasionally insects. Visitors can observe their natural behaviours such as foraging, preening, and cooing.

In zoos, wonga pigeons live in big cages that look like their forest homes. They have lots of plants and trees to play and nest in. They eat seeds, fruits, and sometimes bugs. You can watch them eating, cleaning their feathers, and making gentle sounds.

Behaviour

Wonga pigeons are generally shy and secretive birds, spending much of their time foraging on the forest floor under dense cover. They move in pairs or small groups, often staying close to water sources. Their flight is swift and direct when disturbed, but they are mainly terrestrial birds, hopping and walking rather than perching for long periods. They communicate through soft cooing calls and occasional wing-clapping displays during courtship.

Wonga pigeons are shy and like to hide in the forest undergrowth. They usually move around in pairs or small groups near water. They don’t sit still for long and prefer to hop or walk instead of staying on branches. They talk to each other with soft cooing sounds and sometimes show off by clapping their wings.

Fun facts

  • Wonga pigeons are known for their deep, resonant calls that can echo through the forest.
  • They are excellent climbers and can navigate through dense foliage with ease.
  • Wonga pigeons are important seed dispersers in their habitats, helping to spread plant species.
  • These pigeons are quite large compared to many other species of pigeon, with striking black and white plumage.
  • They are sometimes called “rainforest pigeons” due to their preference for dense forest habitats.
  • Wonga pigeons have a loud, echoey call that sounds cool in the forest.
  • They are really good at climbing through the trees and bushes.
  • Wonga pigeons help plants grow by spreading their seeds around.
  • These pigeons are big and have black and white feathers that look striking.
  • People sometimes call them “rainforest pigeons” because they love living in thick forests.

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