A common sound heard on the edges of the Mallacoota township belong to a large solid bird called a Wonga Pigeon. It is a bird that prefers dense scrub and rainforest. It has distinctive markings – blue grey upper body, and spotted white belly. The markings on the chest help with camouflage, imitating shadows amongst the trees. To me it looks like a large W. It will try and stay still and hide when you walk to close but when it flushes it is a loud clatter of wings and a mad dash through the branches and away. When several flush at the same time it is loud and generally spooks everything else nearby. The one below I found on an early morning walk near my campsite. It was not overly concerned by my presence and for the first time I managed to get a few images of this species.
Wonga Pigeon, Shady Gully Reserve, Mallacoota
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Looking for a bit of breakfast…
An early morning stretch – showing the white and spots under the wings and belly – help to blend into shadows and a bright sky when flying through the tops of trees
The Gap Year and Beyond 