Topknot Pigeon

Lopholaimus antarcticus(Shaw, 1793)

Updated 21 March 2026

Also known asQuook-quook

Least ConcernEndemic

Order: COLUMBIFORMES
Family: Columbidae
Genus: Lopholaimus

At a glance

The Topknot Pigeon is a large bird, about 40–45 cm long, listed as Least Concern and endemic to Australia. It can be seen year-round.

Size: 40–45 cm
Conservation status: Least Concern
Origin: Endemic
Best seen: Year-round
Commonness: Endemic

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

What does a Topknot Pigeon look like?

The Topknot Pigeon is a large bird, about 40–45 cm long and weighing 472–600 g, identified by its prominent russet-and-grey 'topknot' crest; broad, pale grey band across black tail; yellow-golden iris with bright red ring; and bright red bill with bluish-green cere.

The topknot pigeon is a pigeon native to eastern Australia.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

01
Prominent russet-and-grey 'topknot' crest
Swept back from the forehead and drapes shaggily over the nape.
02
Broad, pale grey band across black tail
A single, wide band highly conspicuous, especially when tail is fanned in flight.
03
Yellow-golden iris with bright red ring
The inner iris is bright yellow-golden, surrounded by a distinct, vivid red outer band.
04
Bright red bill with bluish-green cere
Mandibles are vivid red with a brown tip. Base features a distinct bluish-green protuberance.

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.

03 · When

When to look

When can you see a Topknot Pigeon?

The Topknot Pigeon is present across its Australian range year-round, so it can be seen in any month.

05 · Behaviour

Habits and haunts

What does a Topknot Pigeon eat?

The Topknot Pigeon feeds on fruit, usually foraging in pairs or flocks.

06 · Gallery

Plumage up close

6 photos

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