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EXOTIC (WILD) SPECIES -
Blue Crowned Pigeon (Goura
cristata)
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| Description:
About 28-30 inches (70-76 cm), Blue Crowned Pigeons
tend to be a bit larger than the other two species.
Not quite as common as the Victoria, this species is
still quite attractive. The head, neck and breast are
dusty blue with the back, wings and tail a much darker
blue grey. The eyes are surrounded by black or dark
grey in a "mask-like" shape. The front of
the wings have patches of deep burgundy. The greater
wing coverts are white with burgundy tips which create
a white band on the wings. On the head is a laterally
flattened crown of feathers running from the forehead
to the back of the head in a sort of "Mohawk"
style. The tip of the tail has a band of light bluish
grey. |
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Other Names:
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Western
Crowned Pigeon, Common Crowned Pigeon |
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| Subspecies: |
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| Natural
Habitat: |
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| Status
in Wild: |
Well established yet is considered vulnerable or threatened
due to hunting for food and capturing for the illegal
pet trade. |
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| IN
CAPTIVITY |
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| Housing: |
For
best results Crowned Pigeons should be kept in very
large flights (i.e., 200+ square feet) with only one
pair per flight. There should be considerable cover
and nesting sites should be placed at varying heights.
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| Temperatures: |
Sensitive
to low temperatures (below 40 Fahrenheit) and must be
kept out of the elements (i.e., wind, precipitation).
With this species it is important to offer heat when
temperatures begin to drop. They will do best in warm
and humid conditions. |
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| Feeding: |
While
Crowned Pigeons will eat a basic grain dove mix in captivity,
they must also be fed a good amount of other foods such
as chopped fruit, invertebrates (maggots, meal worms,
wax worms, etc.), and perhaps moistened dog food. |
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| Breeding: |
Crowned
Pigeons lay one white egg approximately the size of
a chicken egg. Both parents incubate the egg which hatches
in 28-30 days. Young leave the nest about a month after
hatching and are still cared for by the parents for
another several weeks. This is much longer than the
more commonly kept domestic and exotic species. |
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| Numbers: |
Found
primarily in zoos and public aviaries.. |
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| ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION |
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| Articles: |
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| Web
Sites: |
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| Notes: |
The
coo of the Crowned Pigeons has been described as a "boom"
and is quite distinctive. Many people have seen them
(especially Victoria Crowned Pigeons) wandering around
zoos and are often amazed that they are indeed pigeons
and not some sort of chicken or turkey. The natural
tame nature of these birds along with their stunning
beauty makes them wonderful ambassadors for the Columbidae
family.
Keeping
this bird in captivity is very demanding and only
for the most experienced keepers. Those who want to
add this bird to their collection must make sure they
have proper housing in place, can offer appropriate
nutrition, and are prepared to control temperatures
as needed. It is also wise to consider the investment
(likely several thousand dollars for a pair).
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