The White-Headed Pigeon (Columba leucomela) is a medium-sized bird in the Columbidae family of pigeons.

The White-Headed Pigeon is plump with a short neck. It has a white head and chest with a glossy back area. Its wings and tail are black. Its beak is red with a yellowish tip. It has a red eye-ring with pale orange or yellow eyes. Its legs are red. 

It grows to about 40 centimetres (16 inches) tall.

It is native to eastern Australia, from central Queensland to eastern Victoria. It prefers tropical rain forests, sub-tropical rain forests, scrublands, and gardens.

It feeds on fruit in tree canopies, but it also forages for food on the ground. It also feeds on seeds.

The White-Headed Pigeon is solitary or found in pairs and small flocks. It builds a twig nest in a tree. The female usually lays one egg, which takes 17-19 days to hatch. Both parents look after their young, called a squab. 

Location of photographs: Adelaide Zoo, Australia

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM