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  1. Species
  2. ›
  3. Columbidae
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  5. Phaps
  6. ›
  7. Common Bronzewing
Common Bronzewing
Photo · By JJ Harrison (https://www.jjharrison.com.au/) - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=86320379

BirdUp · Species

Common Bronzewing

Phaps chalcoptera(Latham, 1790)

Updated 11 June 2026

Also known asManpiMarrar

Conservation status: Least ConcernOrigin: Endemic
Order
COLUMBIFORMES
Family
Columbidae
Genus
Phaps

At a glance

The Common Bronzewing is a medium-sized bird, about 28–36 cm long, listed as Least Concern and endemic to Australia. It can be seen year-round.

Size
28–36 cm
Conservation status
Least Concern
Origin
Endemic
Best seen
Year-round
Commonness
Endemic
  • Identification
  • Where
  • When
  • Voice
  • Behaviour
  • Gallery

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

What does a Common Bronzewing look like?

The Common Bronzewing is a medium-sized bird, about 28–36 cm long and weighing 220–450 g, identified by its brilliant metallic bronze-green wing panel, bold white line under the eye, male: Pale cream to yellowish forehead and male: Pinkish-mauve wash on neck and breast.

The common bronzewing is a species of medium-sized, heavily built pigeon. Native to Australia and one of the country's most common pigeons, the common bronzewing is able to live in almost any habitat, with the possible exception of very barren areas and dense rainforests. Its advertising call is an extraordinary mournful whooo repeated at metronomic intervals.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

  1. 01

    Brilliant metallic bronze-green wing panel

    Flashes a rainbow of colours in sunlight. The defining feature of all bronzewing pigeons, visible on the upperwing.

  2. 02

    Bold white line under the eye

    A sharp, clean white stripe extending from the base of the bill to below the eye. Present on both sexes.

  3. 03

    Male: Pale cream to yellowish forehead

    Contrasts with the purplish-brown crown and hindneck. The female's forehead is plain grey-brown.

  4. 04

    Male: Pinkish-mauve wash on neck and breast

    A subtle but distinct wash of colour across the foreneck and breast. Lacking in the plainer, grey-breasted female.

Field specs

Length
28–36 cm
Weight
220–450 g
Wingspan
50 cm

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

Field tips

behaviour

  • These cautious birds are easily startled and will rapidly flush from the ground when approached, often making close observation difficult.

flight

  • Take-off is typically explosive and noisy, characterized by a sharp, loud clapping of the wings as the bird flushes from the ground.

plumage

  • Look for a pale yellow forehead on males (greyish on females) and a distinctive white line curving under and behind the eye.
  • The wing coverts feature multiple rows of highly reflective, iridescent feathers that flash metallic bronze, green, and purple when catching the light.

size_and_shape

  • This pigeon has a notably robust, heavy-chested profile and a short neck, which makes the head appear disproportionately small.

voice

  • Listen for a deep, resonant 'whooo' or hooting sound delivered as single notes at a slow, steady metronomic rhythm.

03 · When

When to look

When can you see a Common Bronzewing?

The Common Bronzewing is present across its Australian range year-round, so it can be seen in any month.

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

04 · Voice

What it sounds like

Call

graeme lunt · Lal Lal VIC 3352, Australia

Call

graeme lunt · Lal Lal VIC 3352, Australia

Call

James H · Honeyeater Cr, Moggill, QLD, AU

Call

Rosalie Lawrence · Stonyfell SA 5066, Australia

05 · Behaviour

Habits and haunts

What does a Common Bronzewing eat?

The Common Bronzewing feeds on seeds and terrestrial invertebrates, usually foraging in pairs or alone.

06 · Gallery

Plumage up close

3 photos

The BirdUp app

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02 · Where

Where to find it

Where does the Common Bronzewing live in Australia?

The Common Bronzewing is endemic to Australia, recorded across 93 of Australia’s bioregions, with a core range spanning australia.

BreedingAustralia

Distribution from BirdUp Australia community data

Legend

  • Resident

8 regions recorded