Crested Pigeon
Ocyphaps lophotes
About This Species
A common and conspicuous pigeon of open woodland, farmland, and suburban parks across Australia, easily recognised by its slender grey plumage, orange eye-ring, and tall wispy crest. It is often seen walking on the ground in pairs or small flocks foraging for seeds, and its wings make a distinctive whistling sound in flight that is as useful for identification as sight. It can be found year-round and is frequently approachable in urban parks and gardens, making casual daytime viewing easy.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- Even though this species tolerates people well in urban settings, maintain a courteous distance of several metres and avoid cornering or crowding birds feeding on the ground.
- Native bird protections apply across Australian states, though specific rules on handling, feeding, and nest disturbance vary by jurisdiction, so check local wildlife regulations.
- Resist the urge to feed or touch habituated birds, since this can alter natural foraging behaviour and increase disease transmission risk.
LCAvesColumbiformesColumbidae
Seasonal Activity
1,065,545 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Columbiformes
- Family
- Columbidae
Photo
Wikimedia Commons / Wikimedia Commons
CC-BY-SA-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.