The Crested Pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes) is a bird found widely throughout mainland Australia except for far tropical north areas. It is the only member of the genus Ocyphaps.
There are only two Australian pigeon species that possess an erect crest, being the Crested Pigeon and the Spinifex Pigeon. The Crested Pigeon is the larger of the two species.
Description
The length of the Crested Pigeon varies from 30 to 34 centimetres (12 to 13.6 inches).
The coloration is grey with tinges of brown. It has a feathered but slender, black spike on top of its head. They run with the crest erect.
The periorbital skin is bright orange. Wings have black stripes and are bronzed, while the primary feathers have colorful areas of brown, purple, blue, and green.
Immature birds have duller colors with no bronzing on the wings.
The call is a “whoop”! voiced repeatedly but singly when alarmed.
Distribution and habitat
Habitat is grasslands, brush, and wooded areas but they can also be seen at watercourses, homestead gardens, pastoral areas, sports grounds, and golf courses.
Their habitat has expanded since settlement has produced pastoral lands (previously they were only found in inland and Western Australia).
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” pigeons, however, the Topknot Pigeon is, in fact, a different species, Lopholaimus antarcticus.
Behavior
Their most distinctive behavior 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, and as an alarm call to other pigeons.
When the birds land, the tail tilts upwards and the flight patterns are similar to those of the Spotted turtle dove. They are generally sedentary.
Although can be 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.
Breeding
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.
If the female is interested, she will remain generally stationary as the male approaches, until copulation is attempted.
Nesting usually occurs in shrubs or trees. Nests usually consist of a platform of twigs. They lay two oval, white, and glossy eggs. The eggs usually hatch 3 weeks after they are laid. Both parents incubate the eggs.
References
- Gill, Victoria (2 September 2009). “Pigeons’ wings sound the alarm”. BBC News. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8232570.stm. Retrieved 2009-09-02.
- BirdLife International (2004). Ocyphaps lophotes. 2006. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 12 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
- Pizzey and Knight, “Field Guide to the Birds of Australia”, Angus and Robertson, ISBN 0-207-19691-5
- Trounsen and Trounsen, “Australian Birds: A Concise Photographic Field Guide, Cameron House. ISBN 1-875999-47-7.
Related Web Resources: Dove Information … Index of Dove Species … Photos of the Different Dove Species for Identification
