Photo · (c) Greg Tasney, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)

BirdUp · Species

Topknot Pigeon

Lopholaimus antarcticus(Shaw, 1793)

Also known asQuook-quook

Least ConcernEndemic

Order: COLUMBIFORMES
Family: Columbidae
Genus: Lopholaimus

Conservation: Least Concern
Commonness: Endemic
Best seen: Year-round

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

The topknot pigeon is a pigeon native to eastern Australia.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Length: 40–45 cm
Weight: 472–600 g
Wingspan: 60 cm

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

Field tips

flight

In flight, the wings appear very dark, with black outer feathers (primaries) contrasting against a lighter slate-grey body.

plumage

The unique, swept-back crest is diagnostic, appearing as a shaggy russet-and-grey 'topknot' that drapes over the back of the head and nape.
Look for a single, broad, pale-grey horizontal band across the center of an otherwise black tail, which is highly visible in flight or from below.

size_and_shape

This bird has a bulky, barrel-chested silhouette and a small-headed appearance caused by the thick crest drooping over the neck.

voice

Listen for short, raucous, guttural calls in feeding flocks that sound more like the grunting of a pig or a flying fox than a typical pigeon.

02 · Where

Where to find it

Breeding range: North-east Cape York Pen., north-east QLD to far east VIC (east Australia)

03 · When

When to look

Months this species is recorded across its Australian range.

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05 · Behaviour

Habits and haunts

06 · Gallery

Plumage up close

6 photos

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