The splendid Victoria crowned pigeon (Goura victoria) is a magnificent bird with its beautiful bluish-grey plumage, adorned with delicate blue lace-like crests, a stunning maroon breast, and captivating red irises. Belonging to the exclusive group of ground-dwelling pigeons known as the Goura genus, this remarkable species is only found in the New Guinea region. One can easily identify this regal creature by the distinctive white tips adorning its crests, as well as the deep and melodic ‘whooping’ sounds it emits during its calls. It is truly a fitting tribute to the revered British monarch, Queen Victoria, that this majestic bird bears her name.
The Victoria crowned pigeon showcases a lovely color palette, as its plumage consists of a rich deep blue-gray hue, complemented by a charming small black mask. One cannot help but notice its unique feature of a feather crest, which distinguishes crowned pigeons, and in this case, it is beautifully adorned with white tips. Adding to its charm, the wing coverts display a row of feathers in a lighter shade of blue-gray, with striking maroon tips, forming a striking wing bar. The chest of this pigeon species is a captivating deep purple-maroon color. It is worth mentioning that, like other crowned pigeons, there have been instances of melanism observed in this fascinating bird.
The remaining pair of crowned pigeons may appear somewhat alike at first glance, but it is only the western crowned pigeon that shares its habitat with the Victoria species. The Scheepmaker’s crowned pigeon, on the other hand, does not dwell in the same range. When examining the western species closely, one can notice that its crown is more untidy and reminiscent of hair, its chest is a consistent shade of blue-gray rather than maroon, and there is a less prominent marking on its wings. Both male and female western crowned pigeons possess these distinguishing characteristics.
This particular type of bird typically has an average length of 73 to 75 cm (29 to 30 in). However, there are some individuals that can grow even longer, reaching lengths of up to 80 cm (31 in) and weighing around 3.5 kg (7.7 lb). It is slightly larger on average compared to the other two types of crowned pigeons, with an adult body mass averaging at 2.39 kg (5.3 lb). Because of this, it is considered the largest pigeon species in existence today. The typical measurements for this pigeon species found on mainland New Guinea are as follows: the wing chord measures around 36 to 39 cm (14 to 15 in), the tail is approximately 27 to 30.1 cm (10.6 to 11.9 in) in length, the bill measures about 3.2 to 3.5 cm (1.3 to 1.4 in), and the unfeathered tarsus is around 8.5 to 9.8 cm (3.3 to 3.9 in).
Living Environment:
The Victoria crowned pigeon can be found in the lush lowland and swamp forests of northern New Guinea and the nearby islands. It prefers areas that were once alluvial plains, such as sago forests. While it typically resides at or close to sea level, there are instances where individuals of this species have been spotted in higher elevations, reaching up to approximately 3,000 feet.
Characteristics:
Similar to its fellow crowned pigeons, the Victoria crowned pigeon exhibits a friendly and sociable nature. These magnificent birds typically prefer to journey in pairs or small groups while foraging for sustenance. With a relaxed and leisurely gait, they gracefully maneuver along the forest floor. Fallen fruit serves as their main source of nourishment, although in captivity, they develop a particular fondness for feasting on figs. On occasion, their diet may be complemented with seeds and invertebrates. When startled or disrupted, these pigeons swiftly take flight, ascending directly into the lush canopy or seeking refuge on a wide horizontal branch of a towering forest tree.
Once they are disturbed, these birds have a tendency to stay on their perch for a significant period, keeping themselves busy with contact calls and flicking their tails. While the eastern crowned pigeon is generally more timid than its western counterpart in the wild, there are still moments when it can be approached quietly. The male pigeons, especially, regularly engage in competitive displays to establish their dominance. These displays include puffing up their chests and repeatedly raising their wings as if they were ready to strike. They also engage in short dashes towards each other, sometimes even making physical contact, although this is rare. However, outside of the early mating season, they can display a completely peaceful attitude towards other males.
Current Situation:
The Victoria crowned pigeon, although being widely held in captivity, has become extremely scarce in its natural habitat. This is primarily due to the ongoing loss of its habitat caused by logging activities. The rapid expansion of human settlements has also contributed to its decline, as the species is heavily hunted in these areas, especially in regions where firearm ownership is prevalent. Due to its docile nature, the pigeon is an easy target for hunters, although it has now developed a fear of humans in the wild. The main reasons for hunting are the procurance of its feathers and meat. While capturing pigeons for captive collections is now illegal, it is still possible that such activities persist. The Victoria crowned pigeon is currently classified as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Additionally, it is listed in Appendix II of CITES.
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