Blue Crowned Pigeon

Crowned pigeons are the largest species of pigeon in the world. The Blue Crowned Pigeon, also known as the Victoria Crowned Pigeon, is a large, blue-grey pigeon with blue lacy crests over the head and dark blue mask feathers around its eyes.

They are known to be very intelligent and quite easy to tame.

Its habitat is lowland forests of New Guinea. Their nests are solid, compact, and built of dead stems, sticks, and leaves. They are low to the ground, usually about 12-50 feet from ground level. The female usually lays one elliptical egg, both males and females incubate the eggs. They are terrestrial but tend to spends nights in treetops. They have a friendly nature and can’t fly as fast as other birds making them easy prey for hunters.

Hunted for food and their plumage, in the wild they can now only be found in remote areas. Hunting and habitat loss are the main causes for their decline. Forests are being destroyed to make room for palm oil plantations and other human related developments. Palm oil is in a lot products, and puchasing palm oil free products can help save species, like the Blue Crowned Pigeon, from the encroaching plantations.

The Blue Crowned Pigeon at African Safari Wildlife Park

Where oh where is the Blue Crowned Pigeon? You are most likely to spot our male Blue Crowned Pigeon, Prince Frederick, on the ground of his exhibit. He doesn’t prefer to spend his time up high.

If you see him in a funny position, lying in the sun with his wing over his head, know that he is perfectly comfortable! He’s just basking in the sun in his favorite way!

Diet: The Blue Crowned Pigeon feeds on fruit, seeds, and snails.