Blue Crowned

 Blue Crowned Pigeon

 (Gallicolumbaluzonica)

Photographed at Reid Zoo, Tucson, AZ        Mar 2010

Native to New Guinea and are found from sea level up to 600 meters in elevation. The blue-crowned pigeon is the largest species of pigeon in the world and it is also one of the most beautiful.  These lovely blue-grey birds approach the size of a small turkey.

With alluring blue feathers and a deep purple patch across the shoulders, males and females look similar.  Males are often larger than females.  The finishing touches to this bird are the mask of dark blue feathers extending from the slender bill through the red eye, and the fan-like crest of lacy light blue feathers on top of the small head

Groups of two to ten birds forage on the forest floor and flush into the tree tops when alarmed.

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