Blue Crowned Pigeon Natural History
Size
These large pigeons have an average length of 28 inches (70cm) and can weigh over 4 and a half pounds (2.1kg).
Habitat and Distribution
This is a rainforest dwelling species found in Papua.
Age
This species can live for over 20 years.
Diet
Being a rainforest dweller this species feeds on a large variety of fruits along with various seed. It feeds at ground level.
Groups and Breeding
These birds do not mate for life. However, after wooing his prospective female, the male will bring nesting material to her. Whilst the female will do most of the work with the single egg she will lay, the males will also incubate them while the female feeds. The egg takes approximately 30 days to hatch.
Threats
A lot of threats plague this species which is often hunted both as food (due to its size) and for its plumage. It is vulnerable to extinction partly for this reason, but also because the area it lives in suffers greatly from habitat destruction.
Interesting Facts
These birds make a loud clapping sound when in flight.
The Crowned Pigeons During Your Day Out in Kent
The Blue Crowned Pigeon at Wingham Wildlife Park lives in the Tropical House and is the largest free flying bird in this walk through exhibit. Gok shares the exhibit with other species such as Rainbow Lorikeets, Finches and Mouse Birds. Whilst he bred and hatched right here at the park, the original birds are actually of Asian origin, having made the long journey to the UK from the Jurong Bird Park in Singapore, with some of our cockatoos having moved the other way to join the world class collection in Singapore.
The more you know…
Want to know more about this animal? Check out our keeper blogs about them here.
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