Crested pigeon

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Crested pigeon

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Columbiformes
Family: Columbidae
Genus: Ocyphaps
G.R. Gray, 1842
Species:
O. lophotes
Binomial name
Ocyphaps lophotes
(Temminck, 1822)

The crested pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes) is a

Lopholaimus antarcticus
of Eastern Australia.

Taxonomy

The species was described in 1822 by

F. Lawson Whitlock
, who made important collections of bird specimens in those areas.

The species has also been placed as

Geophaps plumifera.[2]
Common names for the species, aside from crested or topknot pigeon, characterise them as a
dove that is likewise distinguished by the crest.[3]

Description

The length of the crested pigeon varies from 30 to 34 cm (12 to 13.6 in). Colouration is grey with tinges of brown, pink and green. It has a feathered, but slender, black spike on top of the head. It runs with the crest erect. The periorbital skin is bright orange. Wings have black stripes and are bronzed, while the primary feathers have iridescent areas of brown, purple, blue, and green. Immature birds have duller colours with no bronzing on the wings. The birds can be normally seen in two sizes, they can be thin or plumped. It is almost impossible to tell if a crested pigeon is male or female, because they have the same plumage.

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.[4][5]

Distribution and habitat

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,

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).[6] Foraging for grains, they have adapted to grain farming areas, often feeding on the noxious weed of Echium plantagineum
.

Behaviour

SE Queensland, Australia

Their most distinctive behaviour is the beating and

predators to birds on the wing, and away from any birds remaining on the ground, and as an alarm call to other pigeons.[7] When the birds land, their tails tilt upwards and the flight patterns are similar to those of the spotted turtle dove
. They can be highly social and tend to be seen in flocks of varying sizes. They are highly gregarious birds when in contact with humans.

Breeding

Mating display

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 remains generally stationary as the male approaches, until copulation is attempted.

eggs
. The eggs usually hatch 3 weeks after they were laid. Both parents incubate the eggs.

References

  1. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22690676A93283379.en
    . Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. ^ Baptista, L.F., Trail, P.W., Horblit, H.M. & Boesman, P. (2018). 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 21 July 2018).
  3. ISBN 0701819626
    .
  4. ^ BirdLife Australia. "Crested Pigeon | BirdLife Australia". Archived from the original on 23 September 2023. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  5. National Geographic. Archived from the original
    on January 23, 2013. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
  6. ^ Black, A. (2015). "Range expansion of the Crested Pigeon, Ocyphaps lophotes, in South Australia". South Australian Ornithologist. 40 (2): 45–61.
  7. ^ Gill, Victoria (2 September 2009). "Pigeons' wings sound the alarm". BBC News. Retrieved 2 September 2009.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ocyphaps lophotes.
Wikispecies has information related to Ocyphaps lophotes.
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