Call to help track a nomadic wanderer

Flock Pigeons are most frequently seen coming to drink at dams or turkey nests in the early morning and late afternoon. They tend to occur in groups, and fly in a fast tightly-wheeling flock in a similar fashion to racing pigeons. Photo: Graeme Chapman

Researchers are calling on pastoralists—principally in the Barkly Tableland in the Northern Territory and Channel country in Queensland—to become part of a new research project that will examine the flock pigeon.

Flock pigeons are large, strong-flying native pigeons that are characteristic of black-soil grasslands. The project will take place over three years, and examine the ecology and management requirements of the pigeon.

Flock pigeons were formerly abundant throughout semi-arid Australia, often found in ‘countless millions’. Over the last century their population has declined substantially and vanished from large areas where they were once common.

The stronghold of these birds is now thought to be in the Barkly Tableland in the Northern Territory and the Channel Country in Queensland, where they can sometimes still occur in flocks of thousands.

Peter Dostine, a PhD student from the Australian National University (ANU) will lead the research project with the support of the Australian Research Council and the Northern Territory Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Environment.

“We don’t know much about this bird, but believe they are nomadic seed eaters that can travel large distances to locate feeding areas after good rainfall,” he said. “This mobility makes it very difficult to devise conservation strategies for the birds in small fixed reserve areas.”

The flock pigeon is a characteristic bird of grasslands throughout northern Australia, especially of grasslands on black soil plains. Photo: Graeme Chapman

Throughout the study flock pigeons will be regularly captured and sampled to obtain data on diet and body condition. Some birds will be fitted with satellite transmitters to gain an understanding of habitat use and when, where and why these birds move about their extensive range, as conditions change.

Pastoralists throughout the range of the flock pigeon can make a significant contribution to this work. Later this year (2005) a survey will be posted to pastoralists throughout northern and central Australia, seeking information on the birds and if and when they had been seen on their property.

Mr Dostine said that working with pastoralists on the project will provide a long-term landholder perspective on the ecology of this species. “We hope the project can provide insights as to how country can best be managed for pastoral prod­uctivity as well as maintaining habitat for wildlife like the flock pigeon—so they remain an inspiring feature of our landscape,” he said.