Victoria Crowned Pigeon
Image: <a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:LC-de" title="User:LC-de">Jörg Hempel</a> (CC BY-SA 3.0 de)
NameVictoria Crowned Pigeon
Common NameVictoria Crowned Pigeon
Scientific NameGoura victoria
FamilyColumbidae
Wingspan (cm)85
Length (cm)72.5
Weight (g)2950
Plumage DetailsPredominantly blue-grey body with a deep maroon chest and underparts. It features a distinctive light blue-grey patch on the wing, bordered by a maroon bar. The most striking feature is its large, fan-like crest of lacy blue feathers, each tipped with white, and bright red eyes.
Vocalization / CallKnown for its deep, booming 'hoo-hoo-hoo' calls, which are low and resonant. They also produce a 'whup-whup' sound when taking flight.
Primary Dietfrugivore
Primary Habitatsforest, swamp
Conservation Statusnear-threatened
Geographic RangeNative to the lowland rainforests, swamp forests, and sago palm forests of northern New Guinea and its surrounding islands, including Biak, Yapen, and Supiori.
Identifying FeaturesLarge, fan-like blue crest with white tips, Deep maroon chest and underparts, Bright red eyes, Large size for a pigeon, Blue-grey body with a light blue-grey wing patch and maroon bar
Description
The Victoria Crowned Pigeon is a large, terrestrial pigeon renowned for its striking blue-grey plumage and an elaborate, fan-like crest. It primarily forages on the forest floor for fallen fruits and seeds, moving with a stately gait.
