Bar-shouldered Dove

About

The Bar-shouldered Dove is a medium-sized, long-tailed dove endemic to Australia and southern New Guinea. It is known for its distinctive barred neck and shoulder plumage, which gives it its common name. This species is often observed foraging on the ground in a variety of open woodland and riparian habitats.

Size & lifespan

Length

26-30 cm (10-12 in)

Wingspan

40-45 cm (16-18 in)

Weight

80-120 g (2.8-4.2 oz)

Lifespan

Typically 5-7 years in the wild, up to 10 years recorded.

Diet

Primarily granivorous, feeding on a wide variety of seeds, supplemented with some small invertebrates and green shoots.

Physical characteristics

Plumage

Adults have a blue-grey crown and nape, with a distinctive rufous-orange face and throat. The back, wings, and rump are olive-brown. The most striking feature is the black and white barring on the hind-neck and upper mantle, which extends onto the shoulders. The underparts are pale grey to whitish, with a pinkish wash on the breast. The undertail coverts are white. The tail is long and graduated, with outer tail feathers showing white tips, visible in flight.

Beak shape

Slender, dark grey to black beak.

Eye color

Pale yellow or whitish iris, often with a bare patch of bluish-grey skin around the eye.

Leg color

Pinkish-red to dull red legs and feet.

Distinguishing features

The prominent black and white barring on the hind-neck and shoulders is the key distinguishing feature. The rufous-orange face and pale yellow eye also aid identification.

Juvenile appearance

Juveniles are duller than adults, with less distinct barring on the neck and shoulders. The rufous coloration on the face is less prominent, and the plumage often has a browner, more muted tone. Their eyes may be darker.

Seasonal changes

No significant seasonal changes in plumage are observed.

Sexual dimorphism

Males and females are generally similar in plumage, though males may be slightly brighter in coloration and have more intense rufous on the face. There is no marked sexual dimorphism.

How to identify

1. 1

   Neck and Shoulder Barring

   Look for the prominent, coarse black and white barring on the hind-neck and extending onto the upper mantle and shoulders. This is the most diagnostic feature.

2. 2

   Face Coloration

   Note the distinctive rufous-orange wash on the face and throat, contrasting with the blue-grey crown.

3. 3

   Eye Color and Patch

   Observe the pale yellow or whitish iris and the small patch of bare blue-grey skin surrounding the eye.

4. 4

   Call

   Listen for its characteristic deep, resonant 'cook-a-wook' or 'hoop-hoop-hoop' call, which is a key identification aid in forested or dense areas.

5. 5

   Size and Shape

   It is a relatively medium-sized dove with a long tail, appearing more robust than the smaller Peaceful or Diamond Doves.

Habitat & range

Biomes

Tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests, savannas, grasslands, wetlands (inland), artificial terrestrial habitats (e.g., gardens, agricultural land).

Geographic range

Northern and eastern Australia, from the Kimberley region of Western Australia, across the Top End of the Northern Territory, and Queensland, extending south into north-eastern New South Wales. Also found in southern New Guinea.

Elevation range

Sea level up to approximately 1000 meters (3300 feet).

Preferred environments

Open woodlands, forests (especially along watercourses), mangroves, melaleuca swamps, scrublands, rural and urban gardens, and parks. They often frequent areas with a mix of dense cover and open ground for foraging.

Behavior

Activity time

Diurnal, most active during the early morning and late afternoon.

Feeding habits

Forages mainly on the ground, often in open areas or near the edges of dense vegetation. It walks slowly, pecking at seeds. It may also feed in low bushes. Typically feeds in small flocks or pairs.

Social behavior

Usually seen in pairs or small family groups. Larger flocks can form around abundant food sources or water, particularly during dry seasons. They are generally not shy and can be quite approachable.

Flight pattern

Flight is strong and direct, with rapid wingbeats. Often flies low to the ground for short distances, or rises above the canopy when traveling longer distances. The white tips on the outer tail feathers are noticeable in flight.

Migration pattern

Largely sedentary throughout its range, though some local movements may occur in response to food availability or water scarcity, especially in arid areas.

Territoriality

While not strongly territorial outside of the breeding season, pairs will defend their nesting territory.

Breeding & reproduction

Breeding season

Breeding occurs throughout the year, but is most frequent during the warmer months (spring and summer) or following good rains, typically August to February in southern parts of its range.

Nesting habits

Nests are typically a flimsy platform of twigs and rootlets, built low in a shrub, small tree, or vine tangle, usually 1-5 meters (3-16 feet) above the ground. Both parents participate in nest construction.

Clutch size

Typically 2 eggs per clutch.

Egg description

Usually lays two oval, pure white, glossy eggs.

Incubation period

Approximately 14-16 days.

Fledging period

Chicks fledge around 14-17 days after hatching, but continue to be fed by parents for some time.

Parental care

Both parents share incubation duties and care for the young, feeding them 'crop milk' initially, then regurgitated seeds.

Where to find

Field tips

1. Listen for the Call. Their distinctive, mournful call is often heard before the bird is seen. Once heard, quietly approach the sound.
2. Scan the Ground. These doves spend a significant amount of time foraging on the ground. Look for them pecking for seeds in open patches.
3. Check Water Sources. They frequently visit waterholes, dams, and creeks to drink, especially in dry conditions. These are good places to spot them.
4. Look in Low Vegetation. When not feeding, they often rest or nest in the lower to middle strata of trees and shrubs. Check these areas carefully.
5. Early Morning and Late Afternoon. Activity peaks during these times, making them the best periods for observation.

Similar species

Quick facts

Distinctive Feature:

Black and white barred hind-neck and shoulders

Primary Diet:

Seeds

Habitat Preference:

Open woodlands, riparian zones

Voice:

Deep, resonant 'cook-a-wook' call

Social Group:

Pairs or small flocks

Fun facts

• The Bar-shouldered Dove's call is often mimicked by some Indigenous Australian languages and is associated with various cultural stories.
• Despite being ground-feeders, they are quite agile flyers and can quickly escape into dense vegetation when threatened.
• They are one of several species of 'ground doves' or 'perching doves' found in Australia, each with unique identification marks.
• Their ability to breed year-round, especially after good rains, contributes to their widespread and stable population.

Scientific classification

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Aves

Order

Columbiformes

Family

Columbidae

Genus

Geopelia

Species

humeralis

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