Crested Pigeon
Ravenshoe, February 2022.
This is a stocky pigeon and one of only two pigeons in Australia with an erect crest. After the crest the most striking feature is the red ring around the eye.
The head is grey, with most of the plumage grey-brown turning more pink in the underparts. There is barring on the wings as well as glossy green and purple patches.
Wurruma Swamp, 9th January 2022
When you run into these birds in the bush they usually take to flight making a whistling sound. They glide with downturned wings. When they land they swing their tail in the air.
They like lightly wooded areas near water as they need to drink daily. They are a bird that has adapted to living with humans in cities very well and found all over Australia. They mainly feed on seeds.