For which it becomes relevant that the same egg size information is not given for the Rock Dove. However Gordon Beruldsen’s book says of the Rock Dove that
“eggs are indistinguishable from those of other large pigeons.”
Unless Alison’s veggie garden is near a breeding site of Rock Dove, almost certainly a
Crested Pigeon’s egg, as Mark indicated and she suggested. One other thing to add is
that many birds remove egg shells from the nest area once hatched, presumably to make the nest less obvious to predators. I don’t know if pigeons do this. Logic (breeding in hollows) sort of suggests that parrots may not.
Philip
From: Con Boekel [
Sent: Monday, 2 July, 2018 8:23 AM To:
Subject: Re: [canberrabirds] Looks like some breeding already happening in Higgins
Crested Pigeon egg measurements in the The Slater Field Guide to Australian birds are given as 30 by 22.
regards
Con
On 7/2/2018 8:01 AM, Mark Clayton wrote:
Almost certainly a Crested Pigeon egg as they regularly breed all year. Rock Doves are rare in urban areas away from bridges and other areas where they can roost, unless someone has a "racing pigeon" loft nearby. It is unlikely to be a parrot species but
not impossible.
Mark
Here is my guess. ............ An egg of a Rock Dove would look quite similar to an egg of a Crested Pigeon. I think it does look like a pigeon’s egg – or a
parrot’s egg. It could have been hatched there or transported by a currawong or raven.........
Philip
From: Con Boekel [
Sent: Sunday, 1 July, 2018 7:55 PM To: Subject: Re: [canberrabirds] Looks like some breeding already happening in Higgins
Hi Alison
It looks very like a Rock Dove's egg.
regards
Con
On 1/07/2018 7:43 PM, Alison wrote:
Found this egg shell in my vegie garden this morning. It wasn't there
yesterday. I'm not completely familiar with eggs but perhaps Crested pigeon?
Alison Milton
