Species · GBIF taxon 2495204
Victoria Crowned Pigeon
Goura victoriaAlso known as Victoria Goura, Victoria Crowned-Pigeon
Victoria crowned pigeons are the largest living pigeons on Earth, striking observers with their deep blue-grey plumage, maroon breasts, and spectacular lace-like crests tipped in white. These ground-dwelling birds forage in small family groups across the forest floor of New Guinea, communicating with low, resonant whooping calls that carry through the dense understory. When threatened, they fly clumsily up into the lower canopy, making a loud clapping sound with their wings.
FrugivorousGround-dwellingVocal
Licensed referenceJörg Hempel / CC BY-SA 3.0 de · cc-by-sa
- diet
- Fallen fruits, seeds, figs, and occasional small invertebrates
- family
- Columbidae
- threats
- Habitat loss from logging, and hunting for their beautiful feathers and meat
- life Span
- Up to 25 to 30 years
NT
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Listed as Near Threatened due to heavy hunting pressure for their meat and feathers, alongside rapid habitat loss.
Observe quietly from a distance to avoid disrupting their foraging or nesting behaviors.- Listen for calls: Listen for their deep, booming whoop-whoop calls echoing through the forest floor.
- Watch the ground: Scan the leaf litter in lowland forests where they forage in small groups.
- Keep your distance: Avoid sudden movements to prevent flushing them into the lower canopy.