Interesting Facts

• Western crowned pigeons are one of the largest species of pigeon. They are also called blue crowned pigeons.
• Pigeons have an unusual way of drinking. Most birds scoop water and tilt their heads back to drink, but pigeons can suck water into their bill.
• They spend most of their time on the ground and rarely fly. They are believed to be the closest living relative to the now extinct dodo. Dodos were a large, flightless species of pigeon that was hunted to extinction.
• These birds, like other pigeons, produce a semi-solid substance known as “crop milk” to feed their chicks. It is secreted from their crop which is a pouch near their throat. Both males and females produce crop milk.

Conservation Status

Threats

These birds are threatened by hunting and habitat loss.