Common bronzewing pigeon (Phaps chalcoptera), 1790s

Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW; Purchased 1887; PXD 226, f. 82

Watercolour with gold leaf

Common bronzewings are one of the most plentiful and commonly seen pigeons in Australia, found in almost every habitat type.

Common bronzewings are medium-sized, heavily built pigeons.

Common bronzewings feed on seeds and other vegetable matter and like other pigeons secrete a special milk-like substance, which is fed to the young.

Both sexes of Common bronzewings have patches of green, blue and red in the wing, which is a characteristic of all bronzewings.

The male Common bronzewing has a yellow-white forehead and pink breast. Young do not display the metallic ‘bronzed’ wing patch.

The Common bronzewing is a cautious pigeon, and rarely allows close approach. If startled, it flies away with a clatter.

Grass trees are distributed from near Sydney to the Blue Mountains.