Spinifex Pigeon

The Spinifex pigeon (Geophaps plumifera), also known as the plumed-pigeon or gannaway pigeon, is one of three endemic Australian bird species within the genus Geophaps. It occurs within a broader group known as bronzewing pigeons. This species is listed under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List category of "least concern". It most frequently occurs in arid and semi-arid habitats containing hummock-forming grasses of the genera Triodia and Plectrachne. == Taxonomy == John Gould described the Spinifex pigeon in 1842 and there have been several revisions at both the species and subspecies level. The current taxonomy was determined through a comprehensive examination of twelve variables in 712 specimens from 54 localities. Three subspecies are recognised: Eastern spinifex pigeon (central eastern white-bellied subspecies) Geophaps plumifera leucogaster North-western spinifex pigeon (north-western white-bellied subspecies) Geophaps plumifera plumifera Pilbara spinifex pigeon (brown bellied western subspecies) Geophaps plumifera ferruginea Geophaps p. subsp. plumifera, is found in the arid areas of north-western and northern Australia, Geophaps plumifera subsp. leucogaster inhabits central Australia and north-western Queensland, and Geophaps plumifera subsp. ferruginea, is found in the Pilbara, Western Australia. The divergence of the subspecies recognised has been linked to isolation caused by aridity from climatic…