About Victoria Crowned Pigeon (Click-Readmore)
 VICTORIA CROWNED PIGEON
Scientific name: Goura Victoria
Higher classification: Crowned pigeon
Phylum: Chordata
Order: Columbiformes
Rank: Species
Conservation status: Near Threatened (Population decreasing)
Description
The Victoria crowned pigeon is a large, bluish-grey pigeon with elegant blue lace-like crests, maroon breast and red irises. It is part of a genus of four unique, very large, ground-dwelling pigeons native to the New Guinea region.
Distribution / Habitat
Victoria crowned pigeon are found in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. The Victoria crowned pigeon lives in the lush rainforests, which are rich in fruit trees for the birds to feed on. The pigeon also occupies muddy lowland flats in swamps and sago palm forests, as well as drier forest in the tropics of New Guinea. This sedentary bird nest close to rivers and swamps where vegetation is dense, and in virgin forests, far away from the crush of human civilization.
Diet
Like all pigeons, Victoria crowned pigeons feed on the ground. In the wild, their diet consists mainly of fallen fruits, seeds, grains, and small invertebrates. They are particularly fond of figs.
Breeding
The loud, booming call of the male Victoria crowned pigeon resounds throughout the rainforest during the bird fall breeding season. He also displays his feathery colourful crest to the female by nodding his lowered head. Continuing with the elaborate courtship ritual, the male makes his unique call as he fans his tail up and down vigorously The female pigeon responds by spreading her wings and raising them up as she runs alongside the male with slightly bent legs, hissing along the way. Before mating, the male and female crowned pigeon will preen each other carefully while perched on the fork of a tree branch. The breeding pair builds its nest up to 50feet above the ground, usually in a rainforest tree. The nest is a neat, solid, compact mass of tightly woven palm leaves, sticks and stems, in which the female lays one large white egg. Both parents will take turns incubating the single egg for approximately 30 days. |
Education & Conservation