Spot-breasted Cuckoo-Dove
Macropygia mackinlayi
A small-bodied, mostly brown dove with a long, uniformly brown tail. Found in almost every forested habitat including regrowth around villages and mangroves. Darker wings contrast with a lighter tan-colored body and head. Uniform brown tail separates it from the similar Black-billed Cuckoo-Dove, which has a heavily barred tail and rump. MacKinlay’s is separated from Slender-billed Cuckoo-Dove in its much darker head and paler undertail, especially in flight. Frequently heard calling, giving its typical namesake “coo-koo, coo-koo” call, sometimes likened to “let’s go, let’s go.”
Identification
The Mackinlay's cuckoo-dove is a small greyish brown or reddish brown cuckoo-dove; these two distinct color morphs are unique among pigeons. It measures 27 to 31 cm (11 to 12 in) in length, and weighs about 87 grams (3.1 oz). It has a relatively short beak. The breast feathers have black bases and are bifurcated, the lack of the feather tip exposing adjoining feather bases and giving the breast a spotted appearance. The juvenile is barred, and similar to the female Mackinlay's cuckoo-dove or the juvenile Ambonya cuckoo-dove (Macropygia amboinensis).<p>The Mackinlay's cuckoo-dove is similar in appearance to the slender-billed cuckoo-dove which is relatively larger, has a longer beak, and its upperparts are darker brown than the buffier underparts. In females of that species, the breast is barred with black above and across, and the breast feathers do not bifurcate.<p>It is also similar to the bar-tailed cuckoo-dove (Macropygia nigrirostris) which is slightly larger than it is and has richer reddish brown plumage but not the paler head and underparts of the Mackinlay's cuckoo-dove. The underparts of the female bar-tailed cuckoo-dove are rufous-buff but the feathers are not bifurcated and the breast lacks the black speckling of Mackinlay's cuckoo-dove.
Taxonomy
The species is named after the Scottish naturalist Archibald Mackinlay.
- Scientific name
- Macropygia mackinlayi
- Authority
- Ramsay, EP, 1878
- Order
- Columbiformes
- Family
- Columbidae
- Genus
- Macropygia
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
Since 1998, the Mackinlay's cuckoo-dove has been rated as a species of least concern on the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species. This is because it has a very large range—more than 20,000 km2 (7,700 mi2)—and because it has a stable population trend. Also, although its population numbers have not been determined, they are thought to be above 10,000, which is above the criterion to warrant a vulnerable rating. It is thought to be commonly found on most islands of its range, but it is rarely found on New Britain and on Aneityum. There are no major threats thought to be to this species.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
African Dusky Flycatcher
Muscicapa adusta
A small, dumpy, buff-brownish flycatcher with a pale throat, a short eyebrow in front of the eye, a mostly plain crown, and indistinct mottling on the breast. It prefers thicker woodland and the edges of evergreen and riverine forest, perching at lower and middle levels and sallying to catch insects, or occasionally sitting on the ground. High-pitched “tzeet” and “tsirit” calls often betray its presence. The similar migrant Spotted Flycatcher has a longer tail and wings than the African Dusky Flycatcher, and it also has distinct streaking on the crown. The Gambaga Flycatcher is paler and mostly restricted to arid woodland.
Bush Thick-knee
Burhinus grallarius
Distinctive large shorebird with long legs, enormous yellow eye, heavily streaked underparts. During the day stands or sits under small trees/shrubs, often in small groups. When disturbed will lie down and flatten neck to the ground. At night becomes active and wanders around calling its wonderful eerie wailing cry. In cities like Darwin, Cairns, Brisbane it is relatively common in parks, open grounds, camping grounds. More common across northern Australia.
Line-fronted Canastero
Asthenes urubambensis
Small wren-like bird with a long, pointed tail. Warm reddish brown with extensive white streaking on the undersides and face; also look for its thin white eyebrow and small reddish-orange throat patch. Forages singly or in pairs on the ground and in shrubs in low forest near the treeline; particularly likes Polylepis forests. Compared to similar streaked canasteros, which are mostly found in more open, grassy habitats without trees, look for its white eyebrow and unmarked back and wings.
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