Australian Pigeons: their affinities and status

Abstract

The Australian pigeons are discussed in reference to their affinities within the family Columbidae. All the fruit pigeons, except Lopholaimus are con-specific with or members of the same superspecies as extra-limital forms. The Topknot Pigeon is a unique endemic species. It is considered likely that species related to it formerly existed in Australia. Around Perth the introduced Streptopelia chinensis shows phenotypes with the plumage characters of two different geographical races. It seems probable that Chalcophaps indica and C. stephani cannot co-exist on small islands; the same may be true for indica and “chrysochlora”. The Australian bronzewings are an endemic group which probably derived from some ancestral form not unlike Chalcophaps. The drinking habits of Phaps chalcoptera must have evolved under strong predation by diurnal birds of prey. Geographical variation in Lophophaps and Petrophassa is discussed. Geophaps smithii forms a connecting link between Geophaps seripta and Lophophaps. The Crested Pigeon, Ocyphaps lophotes, is thought to have diverged from some form ancestral to both it and Lophophaps after this ancestral form had become terrestrial. The author is in favour of making Histriophaps a synonym of Phaps, and Geophaps and Lophophaps synonyms of Petrophassa. Geopelia and Leucosarcia are thought to be offshoots of Australian bronzewing stock. The resemblances between Geopelia and Streptopelia are due to convergence. Macropygia is most probably more nearly related to Chalcophaps, leaving aside its obvious allies Reinwardtoena and (possibly) Turacoena.