Crested pigeon

Crested pigeon
Scientific classification
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 bird found widely throughout mainland Australia except for the far northern tropical 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. The crested pigeon is sometimes incorrectly referred to as a topknot pigeon, however the topknot pigeon, or Lopholaimus antarcticus is a different species altogether, and has a red-brown crest that does not stand erect.

Description

Crested pigeon

The length of the crested pigeon varies from 30 to 34 centimetres (12 to 13.6 inches). Colouration is grey with tinges of brown and green. It has a feathered but slender, black spike on top of the 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 colourful areas of brown, purple, blue and green. Immature birds have duller colours with no bronzing on the wings.

If startled, the crested pigeon will take 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.[2][3]

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).[4] Foraging for grain, has adapted to grain farming areas, often feeding on the noxious weed of Salvation Jane.

Behaviour

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 and as an alarm call to other pigeons.[5] When the birds land, the tail tilts upwards and the flight patterns are similar to the those of the spotted turtle dove. They are generally solitary. Although they 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

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 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 were laid. Both parents incubate the eggs.

References

  1. ↑ BirdLife International (2012). "Ocyphaps lophotes". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
  2. ↑ http://birdlife.org.au/bird-profile/Crested-Pigeon
  3. ↑ Ed Yong (2009-09-02). "Sound the alarm – crested pigeons give off warning whistles simply by taking off – Phenomena". National Geographic. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
  4. ↑ Black, A. (2015). Range expansion of the Crested Pigeon, Ocyphaps lophotes, in South Australia. South Australian Ornithologist, 40(2), 45-61.
  5. ↑ Gill, Victoria (2 September 2009). "Pigeons' wings sound the alarm". BBC News. Retrieved 2009-09-02.
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