I was in Moto, near Taree, a few days ago, soon after the floods that have devastated much of the area. Driving along a country road next to a creek, I spotted a flock of about 7 large white-bodied, dark-winged pigeons on the side of the road. They flew up into the trees and onto the fences as I passed, but I managed to snap a shot of two of them with my phone:

They’re White-headed Pigeons, my first sighting of these birds. The one on the left is a male. The one on the right is an immature male or female.

They’re larger than most pigeons, and exude an atmosphere of calm — until they fly away! My bird book lists them as scarce, and common in NE NSW. It comments that they’re “one of the shyest and wariest of pigeons”, so I count myself lucky to have seen them. eBird lists them as “Least Concern”.

Common name: White-headed Pigeon
Scientific name: Columba leucomela
Length: 38-40 cm
Date spotted: 4 June 2025 (winter)
Location: Moto, NSW, Australia: 31°51’16.8″S 152°35’00.9″E