Partridge Pigeons – Darwin River

When we moved to Darwin River, 80 kms sw of Darwin, in May this year, I already knew there were Partridge Pigeons in the area. I’d seen the birds while researching “Birds of Australia’s Top End” and the previous owners mentioned that a flock lived on the property. For the first month or so a pair would bathe under the sprinklers near the house. Then they disappeared. On walking around the property I’d glimpse one or two, but only occasionally. My birding clients generally had to be satisfied with regulars such as Northern Rosella, Red-winged Parrot and Varied Lorikeet. And then in late September the Pigeons suddenly appeared – at least seventeen of them, crossing the road from our place to a neighbour’s drip system. Now I see them daily; they troop past the house to some acres of native grassland in the middle of our property. The birds feed on grasses at head height, appearing to strip the seed head through their beak. Although I’ve set a telescope up I can’t discern exactly what they’re eating – the grassland contains several species that are presently seeding. Given their method of feeding, one candidate appears to be Paspalidium rarum, but there are several small Eriachne spp plus other genera that could well feature in their diet. Partridge Pigeons appear to be declining in Kakadu National Park – I’ve certainly found them increasingly difficult to see there, and other birders I’ve met in the Park have had similar problems. So I want to do our best to ensure our little flock stays safe. Hence we’ve made great efforts to ensure the diversity of grasses on the property stays high by ridding the property of Gamba and Mission Grass, and changing burning practices. However, there seems to be little research to guide us. Because of the amount of grassland we have here I keep hoping that snipe or Zitting Cisticola or even a flock of Chestnut-breasted Mannikins, will turn up. No luck so far – the only other regular grass feeders are Plumed Whistling-ducks. Still one never knows – it’s early days yet, for the Wet Season. But even if our grassland stays species-poor (birdwise, that is), I can’t complain, not with my personal flock of Partridge Pigeons to watch. Denise Denise Lawungkurr Goodfellow PO Box 71, Darwin River, NT 0841 043 8650 835