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They are most easily recognized by the unique white tips on their crests. Their plumage is mostly bluish-grey with elegant blue lace-like crests, maroon chests and reddish eyes. These large pigeons measure up to 29 inches (74cm) in length. They occur naturally in the lowland forests of northern New Guinea and surrounding islands. The Victoria Crowned Pigeons, Goura victoria, are one of three species of crowned pigeons.
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Seeds and invertebrates it consumes opportunistically, with no noticeable preference.(Columbidae - Please see also Doves) Pigeon Information. Its favorite fruit consists of figs, though it will consume other fruit if readily available. Most often, it travels in small groups, at a slow pace, along the floor of the forest.Īlthough it primarily eats fruit, it also feeds on small invertebrates and seeds on occasion. Much like its numerous related species, the beautiful Victoria Crowned Pigeon evolved as a highly gregarious animal. These specimens, though, usually have only ventured to the area temporarily. Some individuals, though, will occasionally appear at altitudes of as much as 3,000 ft (914 m).
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Interestingly, it also most commonly lives either near or at approximate sea level. These mainly include areas of lowlands and swamp forests, but the bird will also sometimes appear in regions of sago forests. However, it also inhabits a few small neighboring islands.Įven within this already limited range, this fabulous bird usually only appears on specific habitat types within the region. In its case, that area mainly consists of the northern sections of New Guinea, near Australia. Like numerous other species, the magnificent Victoria Crowned Pigeon only inhabits a very limited area. The bird displays no noticeable degree of sexual dimorphism.ĬC License: Victoria Crowned Pigeon Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology The wings display a lighter shade of blue, with conspicuous maroon colored tips. The body itself most often presents a deep gray-blue in color, and a small black mask-like feature also appears on the face. This also typically presents a brilliant blue in color, with the ends of the feathers commonly being tipped in a bright white. Quite uniquely, it also boasts a gorgeous feather crest.
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Yet its sheer size isn’t the only remarkable trait of this magnificent animal. Large individuals weigh as much as 7.7 lb (3.5 kg). Exceptional individuals, though, sometimes reach 31 in (80 cm). That’s true since this breathtaking bird averages a body length of about 30 in (75 cm). The dazzling Victoria Crowned Pigeon truly forms a giant of its kind. Its population now numbers fewer than 20,000 individuals, thus the IUCN now lists it as Near Threatened.ĬC License: Victoria Crowned Pigeon Physical Description This occurs primarily due to a combination of habitat loss and hunting. The Victoria Crowned Pigeon now faces the threat of extinction.There, the fascinating animal usually just takes shelter for as long as necessary, often making raucous noises. But, that flight typically only extends to the nearest tree canopy. Individuals of this species will, however, take flight if sufficiently disturbed.That’s because, like them, this fascinating and amazing variety of pigeon actually spends the great majority of its life on the ground. The truly distinctive creature also happens to share a relatively unusual trait with the other members of its genus.This remarkable avian also represents one of only four unique, and comparatively quite large, species of pigeon in its genus. Most impressively, the truly awesome Victoria Crowned Pigeon ranks as the largest known type of pigeon in the world.CC License: Victoria Crowned Pigeon Facts