Topknot Pigeon

Hood fruit dove ( Lopholaimus antarcticus ); Lithograph from The Birds of Australia vol. V, 1848 by Elizabeth Gould

The hoods pigeon ( Lopholaimus antarcticus ) is a native to Australia pigeon.

Features

The birds reach a size 40-46 centimeters. A characteristic feature of the species is a light gray breast, dark gray wings and a slate -like black tail with a light gray band. The beak is red-brown. Furthermore, the pigeon has a flattened, wide and arrow shaped spring crest that resembles a hood that runs from the beak to the nape of the neck. This hood is gray feathers front and rear is red-brown.

The pups are colored somewhat simpler. They have a brown beak and the band on their tail is not clear.

Habitat

The hoods pigeon is usually observed in groups that can consist of up to several hundred individuals. They are often found good flyers and rain forests and valleys, but also in palms, figs, eucalyptus forests and woodlands. They live mainly in trees, there is food and also wanted brooded. The water requirement is met from rain drops on leaves. They are occasionally sighted in the open country in search of food.

The range of this species extends from Cape York in Queensland to the south coast of New South Wales. However, it has it been spotted south, as in Tasmania and the Gippsland Lakes in Victoria.

Mainly, this type found in the area of the rainforests. With the increasing deforestation of the rain forests and their numbers declined.

Reproduction

The propagation takes place from July to January, when the nests are usually built in the treetops of the rainforests. These consist of long and loose branches. After the completion of this nest one big, shiny egg is then placed.

Sources / literature

• Lopholaimus antarcticus in the Red List of Threatened Species IUCN 2011 Posted by: . BirdLife International, 2009 Retrieved on November 13, 2011.
• Pizzey and Knight, " Field Guide to the Birds of Australia", Angus & Robertson, ISBN 0-207-19691-5
• Trounsen and Trounsen, "Australian Birds: A Concise Photographic Field Guide " Cameron House. ISBN 1-875999-47-7.