Interesting Facts About the Topknot Pigeon

The topknot pigeon is a member of the Columbidae family, which includes all doves and pigeon species. Its sub-family, Treroninae, consists of fruit doves and imperial pigeons. As a member of the imperial pigeons, it is a large variety of pigeon. It is also the only member of its scientific genus, so it has no close relative species.

  1. Description

    • The topknot pigeon is a unusual-looking bird with a large, feathery crest on the top of its head. Male birds' crests are gray at the front, becoming a rusty red color near the back, while females tend to just be pale to gray. A large bird that grows to 19 inches in length and weighs just over a pound, the topknot pigeon sports wings that are a deeper gray than the rest of its body; its beak and eyes are bright red.

    Habitat and Distribution

    • The topknot pigeon is found only in Australia near the eastern coastal regions, from the northern tip of Queensland to southeast Victoria. This forest-dwelling species inhabits mainly temperate rain forests, but also drier areas. The birds spend much of the time in the high forest canopy and are rarely seen near areas of human development. Topknots tend to fly in open areas when moving from forest to forest. People walking through forest areas will know if the topknot is present by following the sound of falling fruit and high-pitched screeches.

    Diet

    • The topknot feeds exclusively on ripe rain-forest fruits. As the birds swallow the fruits whole they tend to favor types that are no larger than a marble. The need for a fresh fruit diet is what limits the species to Australia's eastern coast, where regular rains produces appropriate fruit throughout the year. Common foods eaten by the topknot include the fruits of the camphor laurel and the privets. Often to reach tree fruit, the birds have to hang upside down on branches while rapidly flapping their wings to maintain balance.

    Breeding

    • Topknot breeding pairs forge a lifelong partnership, established by displays of bowing and parading as well as aerial maneuvers performed by the males. Once paired off, the couple builds a flat nest high in the canopy. Breeding season (between August and December) generally produces just one egg, which both parents take turns incubating for about 24 days. When the egg hatches, both parents feed the youngsters. Adults will often protect their eggs or young from predators crouching over them until the last minute before retreating.