Two isolated races seperated by the Nullarbor Plain. Flight is swift and graceful, sometimes erratic. Ground foraging, usually in pairs or small groups, on seeds of native grasses, also fruits, buds, flowers, insect larvae, psyllids, lerp. Drinks before feeding and before roosting.

Found in the semi-arid interior, mostly associated with the Murray River system (eastern race), River Red Gum and mallee woodlands. Western race mostly found in open forests and woodlands with Salmon Gums.