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Crested Pigeon


Crested Pigeon
Photo Information
Copyright: Colin McQueen (McQueenca) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 131 W: 11 N: 226] (1387)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2013-02-09
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon 7D
Exposure: f/6.3, 1/320 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2013-02-12 16:40
Viewed: 4767
Points: 46
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Note
The photo was taken under partly cloudy conditions. A 300mm lens c/w 1.4 converter was used.
The photo has been cropped.

Crested Pigeon
Ocyphaps lophotes
Columbidae

The Crested Pigeon is one of several species which has successfully made the transition from a common inland bird to a common urban bird. Crested Pigeons were once restricted to arid and semi-arid zones of inland Australia, with only vagrants recorded closer to the coast. Adelaide was the first major city that they colonised, and later, in quick succession they were recorded in both Brisbane and Perth, on opposite sides of the continent. Now they are common in Sydney and increasingly so in Canberra and Melbourne.

Identification
Description

The Crested Pigeon is a stocky pigeon with a conspicuous thin black crest. Most of the plumage is grey-brown, becoming more pink on the underparts. The wings are barred with black, and are decorated with glossy green and purple patches. The head is grey, with an pinkish-red ring around the eye. If startled, this pigeon takes to the air with a characteristic whistling flight, and glides with down turned wings. The whistling sound is produced by the air passing over a modified primary feather on the wing. Upon landing, the pigeon swings its tail high in the air.

Similar Species

The Crested Pigeon is one of only two Australian pigeons that possess an erect crest. The Spinifex Pigeon, Geophaps plumifera, markedly smaller (20 cm - 24 cm) than the Crested Pigeon, has cinnamon coloured plumage and a bright red facial patch. The much larger (40 cm - 46 cm) Topknot Pigeon, Lopholaimus antarcticus, has a shaggy, reddish brown drooping topknot.

Location
Distribution

The Crested Pigeon is native to Australia and is common throughout most of the mainland.

Habitat

The Crested Pigeon is found in lightly wooded grasslands in both rural and urban areas. It is usually found in the vicinity of water, as it has to drink every day, and is absent from the denser forests.

Behaviour
Feeding

The Crested Pigeon's diet consists mostly of native seeds, as well as those of introduced crops and weeds. Some leaves and insects are also eaten. Feeding is in small to large groups, which also congregate to drink at waterholes. Birds arrive in nearby trees, and often sit for long periods before descending to drink. Drinking and feeding are most common in morning and evening, but can occur at any time.

Breeding

The Crested Pigeon builds a delicate nest of twigs, placed in a tree or dense bush. Both sexes share the incubation of the eggs, and both care for the young.

Source: birdlife.org.au
ramthakur, maaciejka, Miss_Piggy, CeltickRanger, anel, jusninasirun has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Very cute crested Pigeon, Colin. This is my first view of this species.
Very attractive capture from low POV with excellent focus, fine details on the plumage and perfect DOF.
Thanks and regards.
Ram

Hi Colin. You won't get a better clearer shot of a bird. Good details and great colours. The focus is bang on the eye. WELL done! Trevor

Hi Colin,
nice pigeon. Amazing natural colours. Very good composition and presentation.
Thanks for sharing,
Maciek

Amazing pigeon Colin! Impressive photo with very good POV, excellent composition, fantastic BG, wonderful soft colors and very good sharpness!
Regards,
Christodoulos

Hello Colin
Superb photo, excellent low point of view, nice background, good detail. Nice pose with good eye contact.
regards yiannis

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5038 W: 260 N: 15594] (50626)
  • [2013-02-12 23:46]

Hello Colin,
Great shot of the Crested Pigeon.
I like the low lateral POV taken with fine sharpness and natural colours against a clean BG.
Thanks and best regards,
Ivan

Hallo Colin
This is a lovely bird with such a lot of prominent features, especially the swanky crest which it is named after. I also like the reddish circle around its eye and the beautiful patterns in its feathers is a delight to look at. Pleasant composition and great point of view. Thanks for sharing. Best regards.
Anna

你好
真是太神奇有這美麗的鳥
光線清楚照的漂亮
構圖很棒
謝謝分享
STONE

Hello Colin,
Excellent capture with fine details and a lovely pose,the softness of this image is remarkable.
TFS and my regards,
Joy

Hello Colin,
Very beautiful Pigeon .Good sharpness and charming colour.I like the pose you have captured.
Well done.
Kind regards,
Srikumar

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 6595 W: 89 N: 15659] (65489)
  • [2013-02-13 2:38]

Hi Colin,a beautiful specie and a great capture of the profile,the best pov to see the crest and the magnificent design of the plumage whit these great details and colors despite the difficult light.Have a nice day and thanks,Luciano

Hi Colin
Wonderful species and beautiful capture.Great POV and composition,wonderful colours despite the difficult light and great sharpness.Thank You.
Have a good day!
Best regards
J.Diogo

Hello Colin

Very beautiful photo of the Crested Pigeon,
fine POV at its level, great focus, sharpness,
and detail, beautiful background bokeh, TFS

Asbed

  • Great 
  • nagraj Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1618 W: 106 N: 3208] (15166)
  • [2013-02-13 5:03]

Hi,
Oh. what a lovely pigeon with that crest..well captured with good viewpoint and colors. tfs.
nagraj.v

Hello Colin

This pigeon seems to be among those life forms thrown up by the unique geography of Australia and it sure is a beauty. Very nice picture considering the cloudy conditions and taken from long but with nice low POV and what a stare.

Thanks
Himanshu

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5137 W: 166 N: 13121] (49139)
  • [2013-02-13 6:09]

Hello Colin,
Another fantastic photo from the Autralian continent. Taken from a perfect low POV. Great sharpness, details, DOF and beautiful natural colours.
Regards,
Peter

Hi Colin,
This is a great capture of this crested pigeon with beautiful coloration, details & pose. Very nicely presented with a nice POV. Great work & TFS. Best wishes!

Umar

hello Colin
super good sharpness picture with great details and beautiful colours
thanks greeting lou

Ciao Colin, great capture of fantastic pigeon, wonderful colors, fine details and splendid sharpness, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • anel Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 3053 W: 3 N: 8715] (40574)
  • [2013-02-14 2:24]

Hello Colin,
What a fine bird-picture. Love the natural tints, the fine green surrounding recalling the green feathers on the bird's plumage. Lovely shot, a great picture.
Thanks!
Anne

  • Great 
  • foozi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2791 W: 0 N: 6696] (25839)
  • [2013-02-14 16:51]

Hello Colin
indeed such a cute bird with the crown high up. The little patches of green on the wings are really special to this bird.
excellent capture of the bird in wonderful features...

regards
foozi

Hello Colin
what a beautiful pigeon species from your marvellous country. Green flight features, pink eye ring and long crest show it very pretty. Your shot also very nice. Focus, low POV and DOF great as like bokeh effect on BG and natural colors.
Thanks so much this beauty. Well done.
Ahmet

Hello Colin.
This is beautiful Crested pigeon captured to perfection. The details are amazing and we don't get to see pigeon this pretty around my place. Excellent work against the muted background.
Thanks and kind regards.
Jusni

p/s: Thanks for your critiques on my wandering snowflake. I have to delete the upload because I realized it was posted before in my gallery.

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