ID Pigeons and Doves
Australia is home to 32 species of pigeons and doves. This guide helps you identify eight of the most common species using key visual features like colour, markings, and shape. Included: Common Bronzewing, Crested Pigeon, Diamond Dove, Pacific Emerald Dove, Rock Dove, Spotted Dove, Topknot Pigeon and Wompoo Fruit Dove.
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Common Bronzewing
Dark brown crown, buff patch on its forehead and iridescence on its wing.
Crested Pigeon
Punk dark crest, pinkish skin around its eye and iridescence on its wing.
Diamond Dove
Red skin around its eye and white spots on its wings.
Pacific Emerald Dove
Iridescent green wing, white patch on its shoulder and also has white bars on its back.
Rock Dove
Introduced to Australia in the 1870s. People often call it a “pigeon”. Many are grey with iridescence on neck and breast and have two black bars across wings. Comes in a range of colours and patterns.
Spotted Dove
Introduced to Australia in the 1860s. White spots on dark patch on its neck and white tips on the end of its tail feathers.
Topknot Pigeon
Curled feathers above bill, rusty coloured feathers on head and mostly grey body.
Wompoo Fruit Dove
Pastel grey head, purple throat and breast and yellow underbody.
Podcast episodes
Learn more about pigeons and doves in these Weekend Birder episodes: