Topknot Pigeon
Lopholaimus antarcticus
A large solid pigeon with a unique waved crest on the back of the head. Almost entirely gray with darker wing feathers. Tail is dark gray with a broad pale band. Typically seen feeding on fruit high in rainforest canopy trees. Also, often observed flying in large flocks at high altitudes over other habitats – look for the banded tail in flight.
Identification
The topknot pigeon is a large predominately slate-grey bird, 40–46 centimetres (16–18 in) in length. The back, coverts and upper secondaries are a darker slate-grey with black quills. The primaries are black, the remaining body in a lighter slate-grey in colour. The chest and hind neck are notched, showing dark bases giving a streaked appearance.[2] The tail is black crossed with a board grey band. The crest is grey from the cere to the forehead, and russet brown on the crown with black sides. The mandibles are red with a brown tip, the protuberances at the base of the mandibles are bluish-green. The tarsals and feet are purplish red. The sexes are similar in description. However, Males have larger crest and lack some of the streaking on the chest. Juveniles are like females but the chest is mottled not streaked, the crest is smaller, with the cere and forehead being light brown, the crown grey. Tarsals and feet are reddish brown. The iris is yellow-golden with a bright red outer band. In fledglings the iris is brown.[2]
Taxonomy
English naturalist George Shaw described the topknot pigeon as Columba antarctica in 1793.<p>The topknot pigeon is sister taxon to a lineage that gave rise to the mountain pigeons (Gymnophaps) of New Guinea, the common ancestor of both diverged from a lineage that gave rise to the kererū and Chatham pigeon.<p>"Topknot pigeon" has been designated the official common name by the International Ornithologists' Union (IOC); John Gould noted in 1848 that it had been given this name by the colonists of New South Wales. It is also known by the name of "flock pigeon".
- Scientific name
- Lopholaimus antarcticus
- Authority
- (Shaw, 1793)
- Order
- Columbiformes
- Family
- Columbidae
- Genus
- Lopholaimus
Range and habitat
Found from the Cape York Peninsula in Queensland to the central south coast of New South Wales. These pigeons cover great distances in search of fruit bearing trees suddenly appearing in areas where they have not been seen for many years and will occasionally move beyond their normal southern range limit, into eastern Victoria.[2] Historic records from 1953 show the topknot pigeon as an "accidental" species to Tasmania with a specimen taken at Spreyton near Devonport. This bird was one of a flock of 9-10 birds feeding on cherries. Previous to this sighting, the only other recording was in 1907 when two specimens were taken near St. Helens, east coast of Tasmania. The Spreyton specimen is held in the Tasmania Museum, Collection Number 13184/B2703.
- Migration
- Nomadic movement
Conservation
The species used to occur in enormous numbers in Australian rainforest, but the population declined because of forest clearance and shooting. Because of concern over the steep decline in their population, topknot pigeons now are a protected species in Australia. However the increasing prevalence of a new food source in the fruit of the 'weed' camphor laurel trees has seen a recent resurgence in their number.[citation needed] As populations appear to be fluctuating but large, the species is currently classified as Least concern by the IUCN.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
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Toxostoma curvirostre
Plain grayish-brown thrasher of the southwest U.S. and Mexico. Look for decurved bill and fairly faint round spots on breast and belly. Undertail coverts are slightly warmer buffy. Eye color varies from yellow to orange. Occurs in deserts and open, shrubby areas. Can be shy and skulking, but often perches atop a bush or cactus to sing. More common in suburban areas and parks than other thrashers in range. Most similar to Bendire’s Thrasher. Note Curve-billed has a slightly longer and more curved bill, and breast spots are slightly larger and rounder.
African Shrike-flycatcher
Megabyas flammulatus
A distinctive shrike-like bird of forest and forest edge, often seen perched upright on branches wagging its tail from side to side. Looks like a heavyset flycatcher with a large hooked bill, a big head, a relatively short tail, and a large body. Males are typically white below and black above with a red eye and a white rump patch. Females are white below with strong black streaking and white lores, and generally reddish-brown above with darker primary flight feathers. Similar to Black-and-white Shrike-Flycatcher, but African Shrike-Flycatcher has a white throat and no crest, and females have streaked undersides. Calls include a descending “PWHEEEeeeer,” single “cherdew” calls, and doubled sets of variable, almost mechanical phrases: “perit-perit, tchledew-tchledew.”.
Tasmanian Nativehen
Tribonyx mortierii
Large flightless waterhen endemic to Tasmania. Has a yellow-green bill and a white thigh patch. Typically occurs on grasslands near wetland, but has also become common on farmland.
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