Bird of the Week: Wonga Pigeon 15 January 2021
Most Mallacootians would know this bird from the monotonous, repetitive, unending “Whoop whoop whoop whoop whoop whoop whoop whoop whoop….” that starts in Spring and only tails off in late Summer.
But we all get used to it eventually, like city dwellers get used to the hum of traffic, sirens and dogs barking. I think any bird sound is preferable to any of those!
They are a handsome bird, when you actually get to see them. Early mornings are a good time, and evening before dark – they tend to come out from cover at those times to forage in the open. They eat fallen fruit mostly, seeds and insects, and pretty much always forage on the ground. So next time you curse a messy Rainbow Lorikeet for taking one bite and dropping the rest of your beautiful fruit on the ground, think about the Wonga Pigeon picking it up joyfully – and how everything has a place and a purpose in nature.
Around Mallacoota the grassy edges in Mortimers Paddock Bushland, along Mortimer Street, are really good for seeing them in the morning. Also the edges of the bush at the lakeside caravan park.
Just recently, this group helped a baby Wonga Pigeon. Member Denise Anderson found a juvenile in her garden, and asked for advice. Group members all came to the rescue, with local wildlife carer Sue Johns providing support.
Denise Anderson: “I am somewhat concerned this little bird has been in my garden in this position all day; unafraid of me, advice please”
Sue Johns: It’s probably failed its first flight test. If possible get a container and nail it up as high as you can (use a ladder if possible) to the tree nearest the bird. Fill the contained with leaf matter etc and place the baby in it and leave and watch from a far distance to see if the parent birds are around. It may take a while.
Denise Anderson: Update on baby Wonga
Have secured nest as high in tree as possible. Baby seems happy in new location. Have observed mature bird both in tree and on ground.
Further update:
8:40 pm went quietly to check Baby Wonga, nest vacant no ‘parents’ in sight. Checked the garden thoroughly nothing untoward….hopefully second flight test was successful!!
I can sleep easy.
Thanks everyone for advice and encouragement.
They have an interesting behaviour. When flushed, they will fly up to a branch, raise their tail and look back at you. Then you will see their beautifully-marked undertail – it is white, with black arrowheads. I’ve heard it suggested that it provides them with camouflage – the raised tail looks a bit like a dead branch stump.
Member Michael Barnett caught this amazing moment of two Wonga Pigeons mating, through the window! On the video (on facebook) you can hear the TV doing the stock report, hahaha, but the Wongas were more entertaining!
LISTEN TO THE CALLS & Scroll through to see lots of great pics here: https://ebird.org/species/wonpig1
Details: Wonga Pigeon Leucosarcia melanoleuca
Location: coastal Central Queensland to eastern Victoria
Conservation status/learn more: https://www.birdlife.org.au/bird-profile/wonga-pigeon
Thanks to Caroline Jones, Martin Butterfield, Michael Barnett, Phil Johnstone & John Hutchison for your wonderful pics and videos.
Mallacoota Birds 