Geophaps

Geophaps
Spinifex pigeon
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Columbiformes
Family:	Columbidae
Genus:	Geophaps G.R. Gray, 1842
Species
Spinifex pigeon, Geophaps plumifera Squatter pigeon, Geophaps scripta Partridge pigeon, Geophaps smithii Crested pigeon, Geophaps lophotes

Spinifex pigeon, Geophaps plumifera

Squatter pigeon, Geophaps scripta

Partridge pigeon, Geophaps smithii

Crested pigeon, Geophaps lophotes

Geophaps is a small genus of doves in the order Columbiformes. Established by George Robert Gray, it contains three extant species:, a fourth species, the Crested pigeon is also placed within the Geophaps genus in some works. The plumage and distribution of Geophaps species suggests that all species within the genus have formed from a common ancestor and that through adaptive radiation they have varied greatly in size, shape and ecology

The name Geophaps is a combination of the Greek words geō meaning "ground" and phaps, meaning "pigeon".

Pigeons and doves are placed in their taxonomic groups based predominantly on structural characteristics. Pigeons feed their young by regurgitation and suck water while their beak is immersed. Males and females divide incubation duties.

Geophaps pigeons are members of the family Columbidae, who's distribution is spread between three defined areas around the globe: the Americas; Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia; and Asia, Australasia and Oceania. Australia and Oceania are home to almost two-thirds of all living species of Columbidae, which also includes three-quarters of all threatened species globally.

Pigeons in the genus Geophaps are believed to have evolved from bird fossils which were found at Riversleigh, north-west Queensland. The fossils were described as a new genus and species of pigeon and are the oldest Columbia fossils to have been found globally. The fossil species has been most closely linked to the Australian bronze wings, including Geophaps species and suggests that pigeons may have evolved in the southern hemisphere. The fossil find indicates that the ancestry of Australian bronzewings goes back to the end of the Paleogene era.

All species of Pigeons and Doves are described as having short necks and legs, and a short, slender bill.

All four species within the Geophaps genus are endemic to Australia and are generally described as Bronzewings. They are closely related to pigeons from the genus Phaps. Geophaps species share partridge-like flight patterns and show no differences in plumage between the sexes. Aside from the Crested pigeon, who roosts and nests arboreally, all members of the genus Geophaps are terrestrial. Geophaps scripta and Geophaps smithii are closely related terrestrial species both with recognisable facial patterns. Geophaps plumifera and Geophaps lophotes both have long, erect crests and are considered reasonably different from G.scripta and G.smithii. G.plumifera and G.lophotes are placed occasionally within their own genera (Ocyphaps lophotes for the Crested pigeon, and Lophophaps plumifera for the Spinifex pigeon).

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Wikipedia