About Ocyphaps lophotes (Temminck, 1822)
The crested pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes) measures 30 to 34 cm (12 to 13 in) in length. Its base plumage is grey, with subtle brown, pink, and green tinges. It has a slender, feathered black crest on the top of its head, which it holds erect when running. The skin around its eyes is bright orange. Its wings bear black stripes and have a bronze sheen, while the primary feathers have iridescent patches in shades of brown, purple, blue, and green. Immature crested pigeons have duller overall colouration and lack the bronze sheen on the wings. Adults typically appear in two different body conformations: either thin or plumped. It is nearly impossible to distinguish male and female crested pigeons, as they have identical plumage. When startled, the crested pigeon takes flight accompanied by a distinctive whistling sound; this noise is produced by air rushing over a modified primary feather on the wings. The crested pigeon inhabits lightly wooded grasslands in both rural and urban areas, and can also be found at watercourses, homestead gardens, pastoral areas, sports grounds, and golf courses. Its range has expanded rapidly since human settlement created new pastoral land; historically, it only occurred in inland and Western Australia. The species forages for grains, and has adapted to live in grain farming areas. It often feeds on the noxious weed Echium plantagineum.
