Crested Pigeon - Ocyphaps (Geophaps) lophotes

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Crested Pigeon

Ocyphaps (Geophaps) lophotes

Family: Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves, 25 species in Australia)
Size: 31-35 cm
Distribution: Most of Australia except TAS and Southeast WA and the very top end of Australia
Status: Common
Habitat: Lightly wooded grasslands near water, farms, rail yards, towns in grain crop areas
References: Simpson and Day, Reader's Digest

The Crested Pigeon is often seen in the lower Blue Mountains, and in much of Sydney. It is a native pigeon, unlike the common feral pigeon (also called the Rock Dove) which it looks a little bit like (apart from the obvious crest on the top of its head).

Crested Pigeon - Ocyphaps (Geophaps) lophotes
Photo: Featherdale Wildlife Park, Sydney NSW. High Resolution (2357 x 1655)

Crested Pigeon - Ocyphaps (Geophaps) lophotes
Artwork: John Gould, 'The Birds of Australia', 1848. Original Scanned Image.

Some Birdwatching Resources


Field Guide to Australian Birds: Complete Compact Edition, by Michael Morcombe Field Guide to Australian Birds: Complete Compact Edition, by Michael Morcombe. Based on the above larger book. It's a while since I've seen this one. The publisher's commentary says that "This slimline, compact edition contains the same information on mainland and Tasmanian birds as his best-selling handbook, the Field Guide to Australian Birds. Features include plastic jacket, QuickFind system of colour tags and Quick Index ensure durability and ease of use in the field."

Purchase from Australia (Booktopia)

Purchase from Australia (Angus & Robertson)


The Field Guide to the Birds of Australia, Graham Pizzey and Frank Knight The Field Guide to the Birds of Australia, Graham Pizzey and Frank Knight. This is the other of the two best bird field guides for Australia. It is the one preferred by many serious birdwatchers. However I find the pictures a bit dull looking for my taste — the birds all kind of look the same to me, making it harder to remember them in my mind. The illustrations are meant to be the most anatomically correct, though. The text descriptions are better than in Simpson and Day. If you want the most serious bird field guide get this one otherwise get Simpson and Day.

Purchase 9th ed. from Australia (Booktopia)

Purchase 9th ed. from Australia (Angus & Robertson)

Click here to purchase 9th ed. from Australia (The Nile)

Click here to purchase from Australia (Fishpond)

Click here to preorder the 9th ed. from Amazon

See Also

Australian Bird Field Guides

Return to Australian Birds
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