BirdUp · Species
Crested Pigeon
Ocyphaps lophotes(Temminck, 1822)
Updated
- Order
- COLUMBIFORMES
- Family
- Columbidae
- Genus
- Ocyphaps
At a glance
The Crested Pigeon is a medium-sized bird, about 31–36 cm long, listed as Least Concern and endemic to Australia. It can be seen year-round.
- Size
- 31–36 cm
- Conservation status
- Least Concern
- Origin
- Endemic
- Best seen
- Year-round
- Commonness
- Endemic
01 · Identification
How to tell it apart
What does a Crested Pigeon look like?
The Crested Pigeon is a medium-sized bird, about 31–36 cm long and weighing 142–260 g, identified by its tall, slender black spike-crest; iridescent multi-coloured wing patch; bright orange to reddish eye-ring; and fine black wing bars.
The crested pigeon is a bird found widely throughout mainland Australia except for the far northern tropical areas. Only two Australian pigeon species possess an erect crest, the crested pigeon and the spinifex pigeon. The crested pigeon is the larger of the two species. The crested pigeon is sometimes referred to as a topknot pigeon, a common name shared with the reddish crested Lopholaimus antarcticus of Eastern Australia.
Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
- 01
Tall, slender black spike-crest
Prominent and upright from the crown, thin and spike-like, visible even when relaxed.
- 02
Iridescent multi-coloured wing patch
Flashes of metallic green, bronze, and purple on the upper wing coverts, especially visible in sunlight.
- 03
Bright orange to reddish eye-ring
A conspicuous ring of bare, colourful skin surrounds the eye.
- 04
Fine black wing bars
Several narrow black bars extend across the grey upper wing coverts, creating a barred pattern.
03 · When
When to look
When can you see a Crested Pigeon?
The Crested Pigeon is present across its Australian range year-round, so it can be seen in any month.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
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04 · Voice
What it sounds like
What sound does a Crested Pigeon make?
Recordings of the Crested Pigeon on BirdUp feature its call.
call · Quality B
Peter Russell · Cooya Pooya, Shire of Roebourne, Western Australia, Australia
Call
Jono · Cossington Smith Cr before Fairweather Cct, Lyneham ACT 2602, Australia
05 · Behaviour
Habits and haunts
What does a Crested Pigeon eat?
The Crested Pigeon feeds on seeds and foliage/herbs, usually foraging in pairs or flocks.
06 · Gallery
Plumage up close
4 photos
The BirdUp app
Log your next Crested Pigeon in the field
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