About Phaps elegans (Temminck, 1809)
The brush bronzewing (Phaps elegans) is similar in size and overall shape to its close relative the common bronzewing (Phaps chalcoptera), but it has a shorter, stockier appearance. It is a relatively small bird, measuring between 25 and 33 cm in length. This species shows clear sexual dimorphism. Both sexes have dark-olive brown upperparts, rich chestnut colouring along the nape and shoulder, and blue-grey underparts. It gets its common name from the iridescent blue and green bars that cross the inner secondary feather of each wing.
The brush bronzewing is endemic to Australia. It is found in the South-West and South-East of the Australian mainland, with populations in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania. The subspecies P. elegans occidentalis forms a geographically distinct population in the southwest of Western Australia. This species prefers dense coastal heathland, both wet and dry sclerophyll forests, woodlands, and some mallee areas. Habitats with dense shrub layers and foliage made up of native genera such as Banksia, Acacia, Melaleuca, or Leptospermum provide cover for this cautious bird.
