Flock Bronzewing - profile

Indicative distribution

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Key:

known

predicted

The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas. ( click here to see geographic restrictions). The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.

Scientific name: Phaps histrionica

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Profile last updated: 01 Dec 2017

Description

A large, sandy-coloured, ground-feeding pigeon. The male has black head and conspicuous white forehead, ear-mark and bib while females have a brown head with the white areas and black below eye duller. They fly rapidly on long, backswept wings.

Distribution

Patchily distributed and rarely observed in NSW. It is likely to occur north of Broken Hill and west of Cobar when conditions are right. The extensive Mitchell grasslands around Brewarrina and Goodooga should also provide suitable habitat.

Habitat and ecology

Observed in a variety of vegetation types, including grassy plains, saltbush, spinifex and open mulga. Its preferred habitat is tussock grassland, particularly Mitchell grassland. They need to drink daily and may be seen adjacent to water, e.g. at stock tanks, bore drains and pools in water courses.
Rest on the ground during the day and nest in a simple scrape on the ground in the cover of a bush, low branch, grass tussock, or in dust on bare ground around bores, often in close proximity to many others of the same species.
Fairly common; highly nomadic, this species was named because of its tendency to form huge flocks (e.g. flocks of up to 100,000 birds were noted during the 1930s). Flocks of over a thousand are rare today.

Regional distribution and habitat

Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.

Threats

Grazing, by sheep in particular, removes the grass bulk which provides habitat (cover) and potential food sources. It also allows herbaceous prickly weeds to dominate . Trampling of nests by stock when the species is nesting near watering points can be a problem.
Cultivation removes tussock grasses thus destroying any potential habitat of this species.
Predation by cats and foxes is likely at all times, particularly when nesting.

Recovery strategies

A Saving Our Species conservation project is currently being developed for this species and will be available soon. For information on how you can contribute to this species' recovery, see the Activities to assist this species section below.

Activities to assist this species

Control of vertebrate pest populations, e.g. foxes, cats and rabbits, which either prey on, or compete against this species for resources.
Reduce stock intensity of, or exclude grazing in, some areas to allow regeneration of vegetation for habitat, such as food sources or nest sites, for this species.
Restrict cultivation around suitable ground habitat.
Retention of grasslands, including the full cycle of grass development such a seed set and tussock formation.

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

Brigalow Belt South	Moonie-Barwon Interfluve	Predicted	None
Brigalow Belt South	Narrandool	Predicted	None
Broken Hill Complex	Barrier Range	Known	None
Broken Hill Complex	Barrier Range Outwash	Predicted	None
Broken Hill Complex	Mootwingee Downs	Known	None
Channel Country	Bulloo	Known	None
Channel Country	Bulloo Dunefields	Predicted	None
Channel Country	Central Depression	Predicted	None
Channel Country	Core Ranges	Known	None
Channel Country	Sturt Stony Desert	Known	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Castlereagh-Barwon	Known	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Culgoa-Bokhara	Predicted	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Louth Plains	Predicted	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Warrambool-Moonie	Predicted	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Wilcannia Plains	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	Cuttaburra-Paroo	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	Kerribree Basin	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	Nebine Plains	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	Paroo Overflow	Known	None
Mulga Lands	Paroo-Darling Sands	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	Urisino Sandplains	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	Warrego Plains	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	Warrego Sands	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	West Warrego	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	White Cliffs Plateau	Predicted	None
Other State	QLD	Known	None
Other State	SA	Known	None
Simpson Strzelecki Dunefields	Strzelecki Desert	Known	None