Diamond Dove

Description:

The Diamond Dove is the smallest Australian Dove, with a distinctive red eye-ring, blue-grey head and breast. The back and wings are smoky brown and so-named because of the many tiny, white spots scattered over the upper surface of its wings. (Birdlife Australia)

Habitat:

Sitting on a branch of a Paperbark Tree (Melaleuca sp.) at Mankajarra Wetlands. This is towards the end of the dry season and in the build up to the wet season. Although the water level was low at the time, (it got much lower see pic 3 taken three weeks after the Diamond Dove), there was still water and food due to the large amount of rain from the previous wet season (see pic 2 taken April 2017 just after the wet season) . Mankajarra has stands of Paperbark Trees (Melaleuca sp.) and other plants along the edges of the water. When the water level is high, the trees are in the water (see pic 2) and the birds have many more places to hide in and hunt from.

Notes:

Check out the little video of a different little Diamond Dove having a drink of water with a bunch of Peaceful Doves (Geopelia placida): https://youtu.be/RdEJYZvDwS4