The Crested Pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes) is a bird found throughout mainland Australia except for far tropical north areas. Habitat is grasslands, brush and wooded areas. Foraging for grain, has adapted to grain farming areas.
Colouration is grey with tinges of brown. It has a feathered dark coloured spike on top of head. Bright orange around eyes. Wings have black stripings, while the primary feathers have colourful areas of brown, purple, blue and green.
Their most distinctive behaviour is the beating and whistling sound their wings make when they take off. This is most likely to draw the attention predators to birds on the wing, and away from any birds remaining on the ground.
While they breed throughout the year, it is more common in the warmer months.
Last updated: 05-25-2005 17:24:58
