White-headed Pigeon - male

Description:

This handsome visitor to our back yard looked very much like a large domestic pigeon with a fluffy white breast and head; the neck feathers separated like gill slits when it extended the neck. The top of the head had a pale yellow wash. The white belly between the legs had grey flecks. The back, wings and tail were a deep grey with a metallic sheen. The edges of the flight feathers had a beautiful brown tinge. The bill was red with a pale tip.

Habitat:

Visited our suburban backyard this morning.
These birds are usually seen in tall tropical and sub-tropical rainforests. They can be seen in flocks, feeding in open country. they occur all along the east coast of Australia and have been seen around the suburbs.

Notes:

This one was a pleasant surprise for us. Never seen him before.
The sound this bird made was a deep "oom" which came out like a stifled "quack" of a duck ! He made this sound several times as if to threaten the little Crimson Rosella that landed beside him.
This species is said to show a special preference for Camphor Laurels and planting of these trees in suburbs has extended the range of these birds.