Crested Pigeon

Overview

The crested pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes) is a widespread Australian pigeon, found throughout mainland Australia except the far north. It is one of only two Australian pigeon species with an erect crest and is the larger of the two.

Identification

• Measures 30–34 cm in length with grey plumage tinged with brown, pink, and green.
• Features a slender, erect black crest on the head and bright orange periorbital skin.
• Wings display black stripes and iridescent patches of bronze, brown, purple, blue, and green.
• Emits a distinctive whistling sound when taking flight, caused by air rushing over a modified primary feather.

Habitat

It inhabits lightly wooded grasslands in both rural and urban settings, as well as watercourses, homestead gardens, pastoral areas, sports grounds, and golf courses. Its range has expanded rapidly due to human settlement and pastoral land development.

Diet

The bird forages for grains and has adapted well to grain farming areas, often feeding on the noxious weed Echium plantagineum.

Did you know?

The whistling sound produced when the bird takes off is thought to function as a distraction display, drawing the attention of predators away from other birds remaining on the ground.