Size: Length; 79cm. Weight; 2235g.

Habitat and distribution: South New Guinea. Both dry and flooded rain forests.

Groups and breeding: Nest is made of sticks and palm fronds up to 15metres off the ground. Lay a single egg which is incubated by both parents.

Diet: Seeds, berries and fallen fruit.

• This pigeon is prized for its meat and feathers. It has been hunted to extinction in the southern part of its range.
• Crowned Pigeons are the largest pigeons in the world.
• This bird was first discovered when an animal dealer, C. Scheepmaker, presented it to Otto Finsch at Amsterdam Zoo who named it after him.
• They are one of the 309 species which form the Columbidae family (pigeons and doves).
• The now extinct Dodo was a member of the pigeon family.
• Flight muscles in pigeons tend to be larger in comparison with other bird groups. Their flight muscles may make up to 44 per cent. of the bird’s body weight!
• There are no differences between pigeons and doves other than size.
• Pigeons produce a crop milk to feed their chicks.
• Pigeons are excellent navigators and use both the magnetic field of the planet and the position of the sun to find their way.