Western Crowned pigeon
Goura cristata
Class: Aves Order: Columbiformes Family: Columbidae
Size
Weight: 4-7.5 lbs
Lifespan
Lifespan (Wild): Up to 20 years
Lifespan (Captivity): Up to 30 years
Diet
Berries, grubs and insects
Habitat & Range
Forests and swamps of Irian Jaya, Indonesia section of New Guinea
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
Vulnerable
Threats
These birds are threatened by hunting and habitat loss.
