Crested Pigeon
Ocyphaps lophotes
A common gray pigeon that is easily identified by the long pointed crest on the top of its head. Mostly pale gray with bright iridescence on wings. Feeds only on the ground. Takes flight with noisy wing-claps, and in flight has a wing-whistle which makes it sound like a wind-up toy. Common in open habitats and is often present in suburban areas.
Identification
The length of the crested pigeon varies from 30 to 34 cm (12 to 13.6 in). Colouration is grey with tinges of brown, pink and green. It has a feathered, but slender, black spike on top of the head. It runs with the crest erect. The periorbital skin is bright orange. Wings have black stripes and are bronzed, while the primary feathers have iridescent areas of brown, purple, blue, and green. Immature birds have duller colours with no bronzing on the wings. The birds can be normally seen in two sizes, they can be thin or plumped. It is almost impossible to tell if a crested pigeon is male or female, because they have the same plumage.<p>If startled, the crested pigeon takes 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.
Taxonomy
The species was described in 1822 by Temminck; it is the only species in the genus Ocyphaps, established by G.R. Gray in 1842. Two subspecies are recognized: O. l. lophotes, the nominate subspecies, occurring across the south of the continent; and O. l. whitlocki, occurring in regions of the centre and north of Western Australia. The taxon was named for F. Lawson Whitlock, who made important collections of bird specimens in those areas.<p>The species has also been placed as Geophaps, perhaps allied with Geophaps plumifera.Common names for the species, aside from crested or topknot pigeon, characterise them as a bronzewing or dove that is likewise distinguished by the crest.
- Scientific name
- Ocyphaps lophotes
- Authority
- (Temminck, 1822)
- Order
- Columbiformes
- Family
- Columbidae
- Genus
- Ocyphaps
Range and habitat
The crested pigeon is found in lightly wooded grasslands in both rural and urban areas, but they can also be seen at watercourses, homestead gardens, pastoral areas, sports grounds, and golf courses. Their habitat has expanded rapidly since settlement has produced pastoral lands (previously they were only found in inland and Western Australia). Foraging for grains, they have adapted to grain farming areas, often feeding on the noxious weed of Echium plantagineum.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: rising.
- Population trend
- rising
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Hypsipetes thompsoni
Unmistakable gray bulbul with a striking white head, rose-red bill, and orange vent. Passingly similar to white-headed forms of unrelated Black Bulbul but lacks shaggy crest, dark vent, and inky-black body of that species. Gives harsh, chattering, somewhat parrot-like calls while flocking. Song is a repetitive and squeaky series of distinct two-note phrases. Breeds in foothills and montane areas, preferring open forests and forest edges. Descends into foothills and lowlands during non-breeding season.
Long-billed Thrush
Zoothera monticola
Uncommon large gray-brown thrush with an exceptionally long bill. Note slaty gray back, dark brown head, and mottled pale underparts. Found in moist, wet hilly and montane forests with dense shading vegetation; favors streamsides. Sings a phrase of two or three plaintive whistles, usually at dusk or dawn.
African Palm Swift
Cypsiurus parvus
A very slender gray-brown swift with a long, deeply forked tail that is often held closed, making it look needle-like and pointed. The erratic flight pattern, with frequent direction changes and rapid wingbeats on long, scythe-shaped wings, is distinctive. Less gregarious than other swifts; usually found in pairs or small flocks, and association with other swallows and swifts is usually only fleeting. Forages over a wide variety of habitats with palms, including savanna, coastal scrub, towns, villages, cultivated areas, forest edge, and clearings, from sea level up to 1800 meters of elevation, preferring lowlands. Nests and roosts in palms and uses its tiny legs with hook-like claws to cling to the undersides of fronds. Gives a high-pitched, metallic “tre-tit-tit-tit-tit-tit-tit-tit” call, solitarily or in unison with others. Separated from other swifts by its longer and thinner tail.
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