Crested Pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes) lives in open savanna across Australia and New Guinea. It feeds on seeds and grains. Its conservation status is Least Concern.
Fascinating facts about the Crested Pigeon
- A crested pigeon can launch into the sky with a built-in whistle. If startled, the crested pigeon takes to the air with a distinctive whistling 'call', the source of the noise can be attributed to the way the air rushes over a modified primary feather found on the wings. This noisy take-off likely distracts predators and warns nearby pigeons,.
- A crested pigeon measures just 30 to 34 cm long, yet it sports one of only two erect crests among Australian pigeons. The length of the crested pigeon varies from 30 to 34 cm (12 to 13 in). Only two Australian pigeon species possess an erect crest, the crested pigeon and the spinifex pigeon. The crested pigeon is the larger of the two species.
- The crested pigeon is found in lightly wooded grasslands in both rural and urban areas, but they can also be seen at watercourses, homestead gardens, pastoral areas, sports grounds, and golf courses. Their habitat has expanded rapidly since settlement has produced pastoral lands (previously they were only found in inland and Western Australia). Foraging for grains, they have adapted to grain farming areas, often feeding on the noxious weed of Echium plantagineum.
- A crested pigeon can breed any month,. While they breed throughout the year, it is more common in the warmer months. Males approach females and begin an elaborate mating dance; they bob their bodies up and down, while opening and closing their wings like a fan with each bob. This is accompanied by a soft hooting which is timed with the bobbing. They lay two oval, white, glossy eggs. The eggs usually hatch 3 weeks after they were laid. Both parents incubate the eggs.
- A crested pigeon was the first bird placed in its own genus over 200 years ago, highlighting its distinct lineage. The species was described in 1822 by Temminck; it is the only species in the genus Ocyphaps, established by G.R. Gray in 1842. Two subspecies are recognized: O. l. lophotes, the nominate subspecies, occurring across the south of the continent; and O. l. whitlocki, occurring in regions of the centre and north of Western Australia. The taxon was named for F. Lawson Whitlock, who made important collections of bird specimens in those areas. This taxonomic history underscores the pigeon's unique evolutionary path among Australian columbids.
Sources
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At a glance
RangeAustralia and New Guinea
HabitatOpen savanna
DietSeeds and grains
About the Crested Pigeon
In the sun-baked landscapes of Australia, the Crested Pigeon moves with a quiet confidence, its grey-brown plumage blending seamlessly into the dusty terrain as it forages for seeds and leaves with gentle efficiency. As it strides across the ground, its distinctive crest - a crown of delicate, lace-like feathers - bobs gently with each step, a charming counterpoint to the bird's otherwise understated demeanor. With its soft, mournful call echoing through the stillness, the Crested Pigeon is a humble yet captivating presence, a testament to the beauty that can be found in the most unassuming of creatures.
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