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Crested Pigeon

(Ocyphaps lophotes)
Alternative names: "Crested Bronzewing"; Misnomer: "Toppy" (="Top-knot Pigeon")
Aboriginal name: "gulawuliil" [yuwaalaraay]
Size: 31-35 cm

Habitat
(for details refer to a field guide)

Crested Pigeons are found over most of the Australian continent, with a few exceptions. They are most common in the south-eastern and eastern part of the continent, i.e. VIC, NSW, south-east QLD and the eastern half of SA. Also commonly found in the western half of WA and in most areas south of the tropic of Capricorn, except the most arid region from about the Nullarbor to the Pilbara. They are only rarely found in the Kimberleys and the northern parts of the NT and QLD. They are not found in the top end of the NT and Cape York; there are no Crested Pigeons in Tasmania either.

Crested Pigeons can be found in various types of habitats, from open forests with grassy undergrowth via open grassland near water to urban environments. They are the species of pigeon that most easily adapts to the presence of humans, often nesting close to buildings. They are usually not found in dense forests, where Common Bronzewings remain the more common species.

Sightings

Crested Pigeons are common throughout inland NSW, including the Narrabri area, where they are probably the most common type of dove or pigeon. They can adapt to human presence and are therefore sometimes quite easy to approach. The sound of their characteristic wingbeat is easily distinguishable from that of any other kind of bird, including other doves and pigeons.

Also sighted on various trips to the east of the Great Dividing Range, in the area from Armidale to Dorrigo, Urunga Heads and Hat Head, NSW.

Photos

Near-frontal view of a Crested Pigeon

Near-frontal view of a Crested Pigeon feeding on the ground

Close-up lateral view of a Crested Pigeon

Lateral view of a Crested Pigeon

Close-up lateral portrait of a Crested Pigeon

You scratch my back...

... I scratch yours!

Here one can see nicely the long crest and the coloured speculum plumage during the breeding season

Breeding information

Breeding season: Aug - Jan Eggs: 2 Incubation period: 18 - 20 days Fledging age: 21 days

Given the right conditions, Crested Pigeons can breed any time of the year.

Crested Pigeon chick that was rescued after it, together with its nest, came down in high winds in September 2011; the chick, in a cardboard box containing the sad remains of the nest, was placed back in the tree where it had come from and business continued as usual; photo courtesy of R. Druce

Nest

Type: Rudimentary basket Material: Twigs Height above ground: 1 - 6 m

In March/April 2006, quite late in the season, when the nights were already chilly (around 5 C), a pair of Crested Pigeons had their nest in a Californian pepper tree at our neighbour's place, 20 km south of Narrabri. This must have been the pair's second brood of the season, with their first hatching in early spring.

View of a nest that, considering that it is a pigeon's, is looking pretty solid

Crested Pigeon on its nest of twigs, lined with feathers

Portrait of a Crested Pigeon on its nest

Crested Pigeon chick in its nest (photo courtesy of R. Druce)

Crested Pigeon's nest with two eggs in it

Eggs

Size: 31 x 23 mm Colour: White Shape: Tapered oval

Photo of a Crested Pigeon's nest with a close-up view of the two eggs in it

The day after the photo was taken the eggs were gone, fallen prey to a Pied Currawong's appetite.

Behaviour

Social behaviour: Communal Mobility: Dispersive Elementary unit: Pair/small flock

When nesting Crested Pigeons don't mind close proximity to humans. The nest shown above was at a height of about 2 m in a tree right next to our neighbour's driveway. It was built in a tree with dense foliage and a multitude of branches, which is typical for Crested Pigeons. Approaching the nest for a close-range photo was no problem at all; the bird on the nest did not let itself be disturbed.

Males put up displays for the females they are courting from conspicuous places, such as fenceposts.

Male Crested Pigeon displaying its plumage to impress a female; since he is not posing for the camera, but the female, the "wrong" side is shown here...

Sometimes there is courtship competition...

Like other species of doves and pigeons, Crested Pigeons are seen to lift one of their wings occasionally, possibly for evaporative cooling.

Crested Pigeon lifting one of its wings; photo courtesy of C. Kellenberg

Here a pair doing it together

Food

All pigeons and doves are strictly vegetarian. Crested Pigeons are seed-eaters.