Pigeon (Victoria crowned)

Victoria Crowned Pigeons are the largest living pigeons, reaching lengths of between 28 and 30 inches from head to tail.

The Victoria Crowned Pigeon is very similar to the other Crowned Pigeons (see Blue Crowned Pigeon), but the barbs at the end of the crest feathers are only slightly separated and spatula-shaped. These dark blue crest feathers are broadly tipped with white. The general coloration is dark grayish blue. The breast is dark purplish red and the wing patch is pale grayish blue.

Victoria Crowned Pigeons to live up to 25 years in captivity and are known to be intelligent and quite easy to tame. Being docile by nature, they generally tolerate birds of other species quite well.

Photographed at Bird Kingdom, Niagara Falls, ON

and Toronto Zoo