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Blue Crowned Pigeon
Also known as the Western Crowned Pigeon, the Blue Crowned Pigeon is the largest pigeon in the world. It is found in the lowland rainforest of Papua, New Guinea. This beautiful bird can reach a length of 66 cm (26 in.) and a weight of 2 – 2.5 kg. (5 lb.).

They are primarily herbivours, eating fruits, nuts and snails from the forest floor, and live in small groups of 2 – 10 birds. Blue Crowned Pigeons mate for life but males sometimes breed with more than one female. Both the male and female share the duties of incubating the single egg.

Fun Facts

These pigeons feed their young a mixture called “pigeon milk” which is produced from food that is partially digested in the crop.

scientific classification

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Aves

Order

Columbiformes

Family

Columbidae

Genus

Goura

Species

Goura cristata

Where to find us

Belle, our Blue Crowned Pigeon, is part of our Wonders of Flight Show and is not on exhibit.

did you know?

These birds are extensively hunted for their meat and feathers.
They also suffer from habitat destruction due to logging of the forests.
They are listed as vulnerable by conservation organizations.
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