Paul Dodd asked for clarification of records of fruit doves in Victoria, referring in particular to statements in 2 field guides including Pizzey & Knight 7th ed.
Most of his questions are briefly answered in Emison et al. 1987 The Atlas of Victorian Birds published jointly by the Dept of Conservation Forests and Lands and RAOU. This is an indispensible reference for Victorian birders but is long out of print – search for it in 2nd hand bookshops.
Fruit-doves have a habit of dispersing widely and can turn up unexpectedly and far from their usual range. They have colonised almost all of the pacific Islands via a capacity for long distance dispersal and were classified as ‘super tramps’ by Jared Diamond in his classic work on the biogeography of the Melanesian islands. Hence, one should not be surprised by records of fruit-doves in odd places.
Victorian records Superb Fruit-Dove – one bird near Raglan 4 May 1930 (Emu 30:130), another at Hawthorn on 6 Sept 1984 (Bird Observer 635: 125). These two records are the basis for the P&K statement of ‘casual to c. and w. Vic., which I stand by.
Rose-crowned Fruit-Dove – 2 museum specimens from Victoria, from Mallacoota in Aug 1917 (Emu 17: 107) and Seaspray in June 1978. Plus at least 2 previous sight records – at Stuart Mill in 1930 (Emu 30: 130) and one at Hattah-Kulkyne NP in 1966 (Bird Observer 524: 50). Remarkably, the only records of the Bar-shouldered Dove in Victoria (I think) also come from Hattah-Kulkyne NP! This species would be my tip for the next pigeon to be added to the north-east Victorian or Mallacoota area lists.
there are no records of Wompoo Fruit-Dove from Victoria.
Brown Cuckoo-Dove has been recorded several times in the Mallacoota area, including in August 1976 (Aust Bird Watcher 7: 24).
Emerald Dove – several records, most from east of Melbourne, e.g. Lakes Entrance in March 1983 (Bird Observer 643: 75-76).
cheers
Peter Menkhorst
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