CRESTED PIGEON

Description: The Crested Pigeon is a stocky pigeon with a conspicuous thin black crest. Most of the plumage is grey-brown, becoming more pink on the underparts. The wings are barred with black, and are decorated with glossy green and purple patches. The head is grey, with an pinkish-red ring around the eye. If startled, this pigeon takes to the air with a characteristic whistling flight, and glides with down turned wings. The whistling sound is produced by the air passing over a modified primary feather on the wing. Upon landing, the pigeon swings its tail high in the air.

There are only two Australian pigeon species that possess an erect crest. The Spinifex Pigeon, Geophaps plumifera, markedly smaller (20 – 24 cm) than the Crested Pigeon (30 – 35 cm), has cinnamon coloured plumage and a bright red facial patch. The much larger Topknot Pigeon (40 – 46 cm) has a shaggy, reddish brown drooping topknot.

Distribution and Habitat: The Crested Pigeon is native to Australia and is a common sight in lightly wooded grasslands in both rural and urban areas throughout most of the mainland. It is usually found in the vicinity of water, as it has to drink every day, and is absent from the denser forests.

Food and feeding: Food consists mostly of native seeds, as well as those of introduced crops and weeds. Some leaves and insects are also eaten. Feeding is in small to large groups, which also congregate to drink at waterholes. Birds arrive somewhat nervously in nearby trees, and often sit for long periods before descending to drink. Drinking and feeding are most common in morning and evening, but can occur at any time.

Breeding: Crested Pigeons may breed at any time of the year, but mostly from September to March. The nest is a delicate structure of twigs, placed in a tree or dense bush. Both sexes share the incubation of the two eggs, and both care for the young. The young birds hatch after about three weeks and leave the nest after a further three weeks.

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