In Australia, as part of the Pigeon family, there are three birds that are called Bronzewings.
The greatest number of the three is the Common Bronzewing which can be found over the whole of the continent. It is found in all types of terrain including the bush, forest areas, and other scrub lands but seems to avoid really wet areas.
These are ground dwelling birds where they can find their food supplies of seeds, vegetation and also farm lands where crop droppings form another good supply of areas to forage. It is usually found by itself or in pairs and they are always careful and watchful.
Much quieter and secretive as well as trying to keep hidden, the Brush Bronzewing (pictured) is a much shyer bird than its counterpart, the Common Bronzewing, and does not cover anywhere near as much of the continent.
The Brush is only found along the coast from south of the Tropic of Capricorn in Queensland, down the coast all the way around to South Australia and in Tasmania.
Both the Common and the Brush breed at any time throughout the year with nests that are generally on the ground.
The attached illustration of the Bronzewing was a surprise as it landed on the rail beside a picnic table at which we were sitting.
Previous persons had left crumbs on the table further down from us so the bird may have been interested in these.
However it stayed for only a short time before taking off.
The third member of the group, the Flock Bronzewing, has similar habits to the other Bronzewings.
It is a bird of northern Australia mainly in the Northern Territory. It is a rich brown on the wings with black and white markings on the head.
