- Ocyphaps lophotes
Geophaps lophotes
Identification
31–36 cm (12¼-14 in)
- Long pointed greyish-black crest
- Pale grey head and neck
- Pinkish-red orbital
- More pink on the belly
- Wing coverts are barred with black and bronze
- Primaries have colourful patches of glossy brown, purple, blue, and green
Immatures are duller with no bronzing on the wings.
Similar Species
The Spinifex Pigeon is much smaller and has a cinnamon coloured plumage and a bright red facial patch. The much larger Topknot Pigeon has a shaggy, reddish brown drooping topknot.
Distribution
This Australian endemic is found widely throughout mainland Australia apart from far northern tropical areas.
Taxonomy
Howard and Moore and Gill and Donsker, following Christidis and Boles 1994, classify this species in genus Ocyphaps. It was formerly placed in Geophaps.
Subspecies
There are 2 subspecies:[1]
- O. l. whitlocki:
- Arid woodlands and plains of western Australia
- O. l. lophotes:
- Central and eastern Australia
Habitat
Found almost every where, in urban and rural parks and gardens. Sports field, paddocks and on the beach.
Behaviour
Mainly seen in flocks, though occasionally in pairs.
Flight
These pigeons take to the air with a characteristic whistling flight, and glide with down turned wings. The whistling sound is produced by the air passing over a modified primary feather on the wing. On landing the tail is raised. They have a similar flight pattern to the Spotted Turtle-Dove.
Diet
Their diet consists mostly of seeds and leaves; they also forage for some insects and invertebrates.
Breeding
Nest is a delicate structure of twigs placed in a tree or dense bush. Clutch of two two oval, white and glossy eggs is incubated by both parents.
Vocalisation
Call: "Woop woop"
Movements
A resident species.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2018. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2018. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Baptista, L.F., Trail, P.W., Horblit, H.M. & Boesman, P. (2019). Crested Pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from https://www.hbw.com/node/54193 on 26 December 2019).
- Wikipedia contributors. (2019, November 3). Crested pigeon. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 22:23, December 26, 2019, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Crested_pigeon&oldid=924450819
- BirdForum Member observations
- Gibbs D, Barnes E, Cox J (2010) Pigeons and Doves: A Guide to the Pigeons and Doves of the World. Christopher Helm, London.
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Crested Pigeon. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 26 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Crested_Pigeon
External Links
GSearch checked for 2020 platform.1
