Diet of the White-headed Pigeon Columba leucomela near Lismore, northern New South Wales: fruit, seeds, flower buds, bark and grit
| Posted: |
29/03/2021 |
| Author(s): |
D. G. Gosper |
Gut contents of 18 White-headed Pigeons Columba leucomela, found dead over a four-year period near Lismore in
northern New South Wales, comprised fruits and seeds of the invasive plant Camphor Laurel Cinnamomum camphora
almost exclusively. Birds frequently ingested Melaleuca quinquenervia bark, which, as far as I am aware, constitutes
the fi rst record of consumption of bark in the Columbidae, prompting some interesting hypotheses. It is suggested that
bark ingestion may counter potential adverse effects from a diet dominated by Camphor Laurel fruits and seeds, which
are reputed to contain toxins. Incidental records of consumption of fl ower buds of indigenous plants and insects (the
fi rst such records for this species), and regular drinking from man-made structures such as roof guttering on buildings
are detailed.
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