Brown cuckoo-dove facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Brown cuckoo-dove |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Macropygia
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| Species: |
phasianella
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| Subspecies | |
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See text |
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The brown cuckoo-dove (Macropygia phasianella) is a type of dove found in Australia. You can spot them from Weipa and Aurukun in the north, all the way down to Bega in the south. They also live inland in places like Atherton and Toowoomba. Sometimes, people call them "brown pigeons" or "pheasant pigeons," but it's best to use "brown cuckoo-dove" to avoid mixing them up with other birds. This bird was officially recognized as its own species in 2016.
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About the Brown Cuckoo-Dove
The brown cuckoo-dove was first officially described in 1821 by a Dutch zoologist named Coenraad Jacob Temminck. He studied a bird found near Port Jackson in New South Wales, Australia. He gave it the scientific name Columba phasianella. The second part of its name, phasianella, means "little pheasant" in Latin. Later, in 1837, the brown cuckoo-dove was placed in a different group of birds called Macropygia.
There are three main types, or subspecies, of brown cuckoo-doves:
- M. p. quinkan - found in the Cape York Peninsula
- M. p. robinsoni - found in Queensland
- M. p. phasianella - found in East and Southeast Australia
What Does It Look Like?
The brown cuckoo-dove is about 40 to 43 centimeters (16 to 17 inches) long. Its feathers are a rich, rusty-brown color. The short wings, long tail, and back are usually a bit darker. Male brown cuckoo-doves often have a pretty rose or green shimmer on their neck and the back of their head.
The sound this dove makes is a very loud "whoop-a whoop." The exact sound can be a little different depending on which subspecies it is.
Where Do They Live and What Do They Eat?
Brown cuckoo-doves like to live in different kinds of places. You can find them in rainforests, woodlands, and areas with lots of bushes, also known as scrubland. They also like places where rainforests are growing back after being cleared.
These doves are often seen in pairs or small groups. They mostly eat berries from both native Australian plants and plants that have been brought in from other places. They sometimes move around to different areas if they need to find more food. When they fly, they usually go short distances and stay low to the ground, but they fly with a lot of power!
Family Life
Brown cuckoo-doves usually have their babies in spring and summer. Their nest is quite simple, just a flat platform made of sticks and vines. They build these nests either in the fork of a tree branch or on top of a low tree. The female dove lays just one creamy white egg.
Images for kids
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A robot image.
