This family of Squatter Pigeons (southern sub-species Geophaps scripta scripta) has been in the same place on my track home every day lately, soaking up the afternoon sun. Squatter Pigeons are not rare, but neither are they particularly common. They are listed as "vulnerable" but I have quite a few on my place. Habitat loss appears to be the main problem affecting populations. This family (parents at the back, young ones closest to the camera) showed typical Squatter Pigeon behaviour. They were very reluctant to move off the track. I drove around them and the parents fluttered off a few metres. The young ones stayed put. Maybe that is another reason why they are "vulnerable". Focus is on the middle bird. Those just in front or behind are also sharp enough, but the bird at the very front and the one at the back are less sharp. I expected f8 to give me a little more depth of field. (A lesson for next time.)

[K2 to K50]

Fascinaing face and neck patterns. Interesting story for a pleasing bird photo.

[PJ1]

Interesting story for a pleasing bird photo.

Thank you, from one Pete to another.

[ToddK]

Excellent capture! They are beautiful birds.

[PJ1]

Excellent capture! They are beautiful birds.

Thank you. They are very trusting, too, which may be part of the reason they don't seem to be great survivors.

[swip]

Definitely pigeons of a different kind for me. I thought they were quails at first glance.

[OrchidJulie]

Definitely pigeons of a different kind for me. I thought they were quails at first glance.

So did I think they might be quail... great capture, though!

[PJ1]

Definitely pigeons of a different kind for me.

So did I think they might be quail... great capture, though!

Thank you for your comments. It had never occurred to me that they look somewhat like your quail. Our quail tend to be smaller.

[OrchidJulie]

Thank you for your comments. It had never occurred to me that they look somewhat like your quail. Our quail tend to be smaller.

So are ours, but there's no size reference in the image, so it's difficult to know just how large or small your birds are. And they don't have that little "top knot" feather that North American quail have. But at first glance, they looked a bit like quail to me.