Crested Pigeon
From Freepedia
| Crested Pigeon | ||||||||||||||
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| Ocyphaps lophotes (Temminck, 1822) |
The Crested Pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes) is a bird found throughout mainland Australia except for far tropical north areas. The average length of the Crested Pigeon is 18 cm. Habitat is grasslands, brush and wooded areas. Foraging for grain, has adapted to grain farming areas, often feeding on the noxious weed of Salvation Jane. They are commonly known by the misnomer of "Topknot" pigeon, however the Topknot Pigeon is in fact a different species, Lopholaimus antarcticus.
Colouration is grey with tinges of brown. It has a feathered dark coloured spike on top of head. Bright orange around eyes. Wings have black stripings, while the primary feathers have colourful areas of brown, purple, blue and green.
Their most distinctive behaviour is the beating and whistling sound their wings make when they take off. This is most likely to draw the attention of predators to birds on the wing, and away from any birds remaining on the ground. They are generally sedentary. Although often seen in pairs, they can be highly social and tend to be seen in packs. They are highly gregarious birds when in contact with humans.
While they breed throughout the year, it is more common in the warmer months.
Voice: single or double "coo" or rising "coo-oo"
References
- Trounsen and Trounsen, "Australian Birds: A Concise Photographic Field Guide. ISBN 1875999477.
