Victoria Crown Pigeon chick born at the NCBG on July 21, 2002

Geographgical Location: New Guinea
Habiat: lowland forest
Food: seeds, berries, fruits, insects
Status: vulnerable of extinction, mainly from hunting
Breeding: The nesting cycle of the Victoria Crowned Pigeon is for only one egg, and remains incubated in the nest for almost thirty days.
More images: at the bottom of this page

In short: Crowned pigeons are larger than all other pigeons. They are mainly distributed throughout New Guinea. These particular pigeons receive their name from the lacy feathers on their heads. They rank among some of the prettiest and brightest pigeons. Usually it they are hunted for plumage.

The Victoria crowned pigeon, Goura victoria, and the Common crowned pigeon, Goura cristata, are the peacocks of the pigeon family. They are the largest surviving pigeons.

The crowned pigeons, belonging to the family Gourinae, are large blue-gray birds with deep maroon below. The most noticeable difference between these two pigeons is that the Victoria crowned pigeon's crest is tipped in white while the Common crowned pigeon's is not.

Crowned pigeons differ from other pigeons in having sixteen instead of twelve tail feathers, in the scaling of their legs, in lacking an oil gland and gall bladder, and in possessing a large, fan-shaped crest of erect lacy feathers. The crest is so large and beautiful that these birds have been hunted as much as the birds of paradise.

DISTRIBUTION and HABITAT:

In addition to being hunted for their crests, these pigeons are also hunted for their flesh, which, like that of all pigeons is good eating. These fine large birds, though now protected by law, have largely disappeared near human habitations, but are reported to be fairly common in the wilder jungles of New Guinea.

BEHAVIOR:

Unlike other birds, pigeons and doves do not sip when drinking, but instead they immerse their bill, sucking up water.

All pigeon and dove species move about in flocks during the day and roost together at night. These birds begin the morning with a chorus of calls before the flock sets out to feed and drink. They then return to their perching place, where they stay during the hottest part of the day. In the afternoon they again go off to feed and drink, finally retiring at night. Such regular habits allow them to adapt quite easily to captivity.

DIET:

In the wild, crowned pigeons feed on fruits, berries and large seeds. In the Zoo they are fed Game Bird chow, seeds, and assorted fruits.

REPRODUCTION and GROWTH: Nests are placed in shrubs and trees, relatively low. They prefer areas with tall hedges and thickets to woodlands. The male chooses the nesting site and gathers twigs, roots and other materials, which are set in place by the female. These birds are monogamous and tend to mate for life.

There are up to two eggs in each clutch, mostly only one, elliptical in shape and white, with a faint bluish tinge. Male and female share incubating duties for about 30 days, after which the chicks are hatched nearly naked. These birds are "altricial," meaning the chicks are almost helpless after hatching and require attentive parental care and feeding. The young can fly when they are three weeks old.

Pigeons are unusual among birds in that they produce a milk which has a chemical composition similar to that produced by mammals. Flamingos are the only other birds to share this feature. Pigeon or crop milk is a secretion of the adult crop which forms the complete diet of nestlings for the first few days of life. Crop milk is produced by both sexes.

The first attempt to nist was made by one of our pigeons in May 2002. Due to overcrowding of the aviary and disturbance by other birds the nest was abandonned.

After relocating just six birds to a refurbished aviary a chick was born in July 2002 shown here about 3 weeks old.

Victoria Crowned Pigeon chick born at the NCBG, Port Moresby, on July 14, 2003. Picture taken on July 19.

Victoria Crowned Pigeon chick born at the NCBG, Port Moresby, on July 14, 2003. Picture taken on July 19.

Victoria Crowned Pigeon chick born at the NCBG, Port Moresby, on July 14, 2003. Picture taken on July 19.

Victoria Crowned Pigeon chick born at the NCBG, Port Moresby, on July 14, 2003. Picture taken on July 27, 2003.

Victoria Crowned Pigeon chick born at the NCBG, Port Moresby, on July 14, 2003. Picture taken on July 27, 2003.