# Crested Pigeon (*Ocyphaps lophotes*) The Crested Pigeon is a beautiful bird with a fancy crest on its head. It loves to strut around and show off its unique features to other birds. You might see them in parks or open areas. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Urban areas - **Also known as:** Crested Dove ![Crested Pigeon](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771425829/objects/6024.jpg) ## Appearance The Crested Pigeon has a distinctive grey body, a pinkish breast, and beautiful iridescent green-purple patches on its wings. Its most unique feature is a slender, upright black crest that gives it a stylish look, making it easily recognizable. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Columbiformes - **Family:** Columbidae - **Genus:** Ocyphaps ## Interesting facts - Crested Pigeons drink water by sucking it up like a straw, rare for birds! - Their wings make a loud "whirring" sound when they quickly take flight! - These clever birds thrive in cities and suburbs, learning to live near people! - They build such flimsy nests, you can sometimes see the eggs right through! ## Special abilities - **Crest Commander:** Crested Pigeon can raise its black crest to signal alertness or excitement to other pigeons, a visual message. - **Quick Burst Flight:** Crested Pigeon can explode into quick, direct flight from the ground, helping them escape predators rapidly. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 30-34 cm - **Wingspan:** 45-55 cm - **Weight:** 0.15-0.25 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-10 years - **Speed:** 70 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 1-2 - **Incubation:** 17-19 days ## Diet & Feeding They primarily forage on the ground for seeds, grains, and some plant material. - **Primary Foods:** Seeds, Grains, Leaves, Roots, Small Invertebrates - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Brown Goshawk (*Accipiter fasciatus*) — A common predator that actively hunts adult and juvenile pigeons. - **Eaten by:** Feral Cat (*Felis catus*) — A significant introduced predator of ground-dwelling birds like pigeons. - **Eats:** Golden Wattle (*Acacia pycnantha*) — Crested Pigeons often feed on the fallen seeds from this native tree. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Crested](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/crested): Crested describes animals possessing a prominent tuft of feathers, hair, or skin on their head. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Enjoy watching these birds from a distance and never try to touch or chase them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Crested Pigeon? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Crested Pigeon? 30-34 cm ### What is Crested Pigeon's wingspan? 45-55 cm ### How much does Crested Pigeon weigh? 0.15-0.25 kg ### How long does Crested Pigeon live? 5-10 years ### How fast can Crested Pigeon move? 70 km/h ### What does Crested Pigeon eat? They primarily forage on the ground for seeds, grains, and some plant material. ### Where is Crested Pigeon usually found? Urban areas ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Crested Pigeon: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/crested-pigeon)