Photo: John Gerrard Keulemans / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Chestnut-quilled Rock Pigeon
Petrophassa rufipennis
Chestnut-quilled Rock Pigeon (Petrophassa rufipennis) — Pigeons & Doves of Australia & Oceania.
Found across 4 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Chestnut-quilled Rock Pigeon (Petrophassa rufipennis) is a member of the Columbidae family found in Australia & Oceania. Adults weigh 159 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Columbiformes
- Family Columbidae Pigeons, Doves
- Genus Petrophassa
- Species rufipennis
Quick facts
- Weight
- 159 g
- Diet
- Seed-eaters
- Family
- Columbidae
- Order
- Columbiformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Chestnut-quilled Rock Pigeon is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Behaviour
A bird of rocky terrain, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Chestnut-quilled Rock Pigeon is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Chestnut-quilled Rock Pigeon (Petrophassa rufipennis) is a species of bird in the Columbidae family, part of the order Columbiformes. Its range spans Australia & Oceania. Its distribution covers AU nc Top End, n NT (nc Australia).
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 159 g, with a wing length of about 14.1 cm and a tail of around 11.7 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 55,000 km².
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Chestnut-quilled Rock Pigeon?
The Chestnut-quilled Rock Pigeon is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 159 g.
Where does the Chestnut-quilled Rock Pigeon live?
The Chestnut-quilled Rock Pigeon is found across Australia & Oceania with a range covering AU nc Top End, n NT (nc Australia), where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Chestnut-quilled Rock Pigeon belong to?
The Chestnut-quilled Rock Pigeon (Petrophassa rufipennis) belongs to the Columbidae family, in the order Columbiformes.
What does the Chestnut-quilled Rock Pigeon eat?
The Chestnut-quilled Rock Pigeon is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Does the Chestnut-quilled Rock Pigeon migrate?
The Chestnut-quilled Rock Pigeon is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Chestnut-quilled Rock Pigeon endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
How large is the Chestnut-quilled Rock Pigeon's range?
The Chestnut-quilled Rock Pigeon has a mapped global range of about 55,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
Explore more birds
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Least Concern
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Least Concern
Not Evaluated
Endangered
Guides for this bird
Meet the Columbidae
A field guide to the Columbidae family — 352 species in the Birbs encyclopedia, with the best-known members to start with.