The pigeon, which is native to New Guinea, is named after Queen Victoria the renowned 19th-century British ruler. Deep blue-grey feathers, a maroon breast, and a black mask accented by vivid red eyes characterize this huge ground-dwelling pigeon. But it's the crest that truly sets it apart. The Victoria crowned pigeon is one of three species of crowned pigeons with a distinct crest capped with white-tipped feathers. The pigeon's magnificent feathers contribute to its exquisite, royal look.

The Victoria crowned pigeon (Goura victoria) is distinguished from the other two species of crowned pigeons by its white-tipped crest. The western crowned pigeon (Goura cristata) and Scheepmaker's crowned pigeon (Goura scheepmakeri) have a scraggly crown that resembles a nest of hair, despite their similar appearance.

Although all crowned pigeons are bigger than other pigeons, the Victoria crowned pigeon is the biggest living species. They are enormous pigeons, weighing up to 7.7 pounds and measuring up to 30 inches in length. The common pigeon, also known as the rock dove, is just half as long and weighs less than a pound. Given that Victoria crowned pigeons eat fallen fruits, they especially enjoy figs. It's remarkable how much food they must consume to gain that much weight. In reality, their size is more comparable to that of a medium-sized chicken than a pigeon.

These sociable birds prefer to travel in couples or groups when foraging for food. Unless disturbed, they'll wander along the forest floor picking fruit. Then, when they fly up into the trees for protection they'll create a loud clapping noise. Victoria crowned pigeons are becoming increasingly uncommon in the natural, owing to their beauty which makes them the most popular crowned species in captivity.

Are Victoria crowned pigeons endangered? These magnificent birds are steadily losing habitat owing to deforestation, and they are also being hunted for their feathers and meat. Owing to overhunting they are rarely encountered in inhabited areas. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, they are presently classified as "Near Threatened." The Victoria crowned pigeon is a huge bird with a beautiful feather crest.

Origin And History Of Victoria crowned pigeons Originally from New Guinea and introduced to nearby islands, the Victoria crowned pigeon has been bred in captivity for hundreds of years. They're a common sight in the United States and the United Kingdom at zoos and aviaries, though they are somewhat rare in the pet bird trade. This bird is the largest living pigeon and the closest remaining relative to the extinct dodo bird. It was named in honor of Queen Victoria for its flashy blue crown of intricate lace-like patterns and its regal poise.

In the tropical rainforests of New Guinea, Victoria crowned pigeons were hunted for their meat and feathers. Due to hunting and habitat destruction, the wild population had declined rapidly, endangering the species to near extinction. As a protected species, it has improved from being a "threatened" and "vulnerable" species to "near threatened." Deforestation of its natural habitat still occurs.

Where to Adopt or Buy a Victoria Crowned Pigeon? While these pigeons may be more obscure than other bird species, there are a few aviaries left in the U.S. that breed and offer them for private sale. If you can provide for the bird's needs and have your heart set on one, keep looking. The chances are that you will find one eventually. Be prepared to pay a hefty price because a pair can easily run a few thousand dollars.

Caring for Victoria Crowned Pigeons Victoria crowned pigeons spend quite a bit of time on the ground and need plenty of room to run around and exercise. They need a minimum of 200 square feet of ground space in their enclosures. They also need roosts at various heights. These space requirements can be hard for even the most dedicated enthusiast to meet. In other words, if you can't provide your bird with a flight the same size as the average bedroom, then you should not consider adopting a Victoria crowned pigeon.

These pigeons tend to do best as a pair in a single flight enclosure; a solo bird may become too lonely. During the breeding season, males may fight each other. The males have an elaborate courtship dance. Generally, a mating pair will only produce a maximum of three eggs each year. Both the male and female incubate the eggs, which takes around a month to hatch and raise the young squabs.

Despite their docile personality, this is not a low maintenance bird. Since they are foragers, clean the enclosure regularly, so they don't get health issues from eating their droppings along with their food. Keep in mind that the birds are native to a tropical climate and will do best in warm, humid regions. They cannot tolerate temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. If your region gets cold, you'll need to figure out how to provide heat. The enclosure should also protect the birds from wind and rain.

Victoria crowned pigeons generally tolerate birds of other species quite well. It is often best when they're the only ground bird. For example, you do not want to keep these birds with a busy flock of chickens; it will stress out the pigeons that often prefer a calm environment.