About Leucosarcia melanoleuca (Latham, 1801)
Leucosarcia melanoleuca, commonly called the wonga pigeon, is a large, plump pigeon with a short neck, broad wings, and a long tail. It measures between 38 and 40 centimetres, or 15.2 to 16 inches, in total length. This species has pastel blue-grey feathers on its back. The color of its head fades to creamy-white. Its underside is white with dotted dark grey spots, which forms a visible white V shape on its chest. Wonga pigeons have dark red-brown eyes, surrounded by pink eye-rings, and their legs are red. Adult males and females look identical, while immature wonga pigeons are browner and have a less distinct V chest pattern. Historically, wonga pigeons ranged from as far north as Cairns to as far south as the Dandenongs. Due to land clearance, 1940s shootings for crop protection, and fox predation, the species is now rarely seen in these former range areas, but its overall populations have improved.
