Australian Crested Pigeon
Ocyphaps lophotes

AKA: Crested Pigeon; Crested Bronzewing; Crested Dove

 
©Northamptonshire

©Angel Teruel

©Fotohead
Typical "iris" coloration in adult males; red-orange outer ring & yellow inner ring. Adult females typically do not have the two colors in their iris, can be greenish grey in color. Also, eye cere is enlarged due to being in breeding arousal.

©Monte Nord

Distribution: Endemic & inhabits most of Australia. Found in various types of open arid & open woodlands which have shrubs, brush & trees for cover. Takes good advantage of man-made watering places around farms & homesteads, such as livestock troughs & dams. Many times seen in flocks of over 100 birds. Cannot be mistaken for any other dove species. 

Two races accepted: O. l. lophotes (Temminck 1822); O.l. whitlocki (Mathews 1912)

Description: Length 33cm. Larger then the common "ringneck dove". Slim, sleek body, long graduated tailed, short-wing dove. Sexes similar in size & coloration. Head, neck, chest and underparts pale grey. Sides of neck, chest & lower neck a salmon pink. Upperparts of body to rump a dull brown. Wing mantles brownish grey with clear black band with a buff brown tip.  Lower wing shield flights having metallic green & purple or blue & purple outer webs. The "crest" feathers which are held erect are elongated & blackish. Juvenile - similar to adults but duller & reduced iridescence wing area, shorter crest. Note: read SEXING TIP article for tips on visually sexing this species.

Voice:                      

Nesting: Clutches consist of 2 white eggs; incubation is 18 days, young fledge in about 20 days.

Note: In Gibb's book, he uses the Latin name Geopelia lophotes.

Here is a short article on a study done on wild birds; interesting info. 

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