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11

Topknot Pigeon

(Lopholaimus antarcticus)
Alternate name(s): "Flock Pigeon";
NB: The name "Topknot Pigeon" (or "Toppy") is often mistakenly used for the Crested Pigeon.
Aboriginal name(s): "barbam"/"baruban"/"barbung" [bundjalung]; "gulgal" [ngadjon]

Size: 40-45 cm
Weight: 470-600 g
Description     Classification     Distribution     Sightings     Photos     Breeding     Nest     Eggs     Behaviour     Food Call/s    

Physical description

Click here for a physical description

Taxonomy, classification

See Topknot Pigeon at Wikipedia .

Range, habitat, finding this species

Click here for information on habitat and range

Sightings

Click here for sighting information

Photos

ADULT

Sex unknown

Frontal/ventral view of a Topknot Pigeon issuing its call (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Mount Glorious, Gold Coast hinterland, QLD, May 2020]

Near-frontal view of a Topknot Pigeon (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Botanical Gardens, Maleny, QLD, August 2019]

Lateral view of a Topknot Pigeon (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Botanical Gardens, Maleny, QLD, August 2019]

Lateral portrait of a Topknot Pigeon (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Springbrook NP, QLD, February 2017]

Lateral view of a Topknot Pigeon (photo courtesy of E. Scott)
[Roseberry Creek Valley, near Toonumbar NP, northern NSW, October 2016]

Near-dorsal view of a Topknot Pigeon (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Botanical Gardens, Maleny, QLD, August 2019]

Near-dorsal view of a Topknot Pigeon (photo courtesy of E. Scott)
[Roseberry Creek Valley, near Toonumbar NP, northern NSW, October 2016]

Dorsal view of a Topknot Pigeon
[Ravensbourne NP, QLD, March 2016]

Small flock of Topknot Pigeons perched in a tree (photo courtesy of A. Lee)
[East Russell, near Cairns, QLD, June 2018]

Lateral view of two Topknot Pigeons in flight above rainforest
[Dorrigo NP, NSW, January 2011]

Different viewing angle from underneath of two Topknot Pigeons
[Dorrigo NP, NSW, January 2011]

IMMATURE/JUVENILE

Near-lateral view of a juvenile Topknot Pigeon; note the absence of a prominent crest
[Ravensbourne NP, QLD, March 2016]

Behaviour

Social behaviour: Communal Mobility: Sedentary/dispersive Elementary unit: Flock

Food, Diet

All pigeons and doves are strictly vegetarian. Topknot Pigeons are primarily fruit-eaters.

Topknot Pigeon feeding on the fruit of privet (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Botanical Gardens, Maleny, QLD, August 2019]

Call(s)/Song

For this species we have recorded the following call(s)/song. The interpretation of their meaning is our own; comments and suggestions for improvement are welcome.

Doves and pigeons do not, like other birds, open their bills when calling, but they rather "hum" through their noses, with the bill closed.

topknot_20150328.m4a (NE NSW) Contact call? © MD

More Topknot Pigeon sound recordings are available at xeno-canto.org .

These pages are largely based on our own observations and those of our contributors. The structure of these bird pages is explained HERE. For more salient facts on any bird species please refer to a field guide.

Would you like to contribute photos or sound recordings to this site?
If interested, please CLICK HERE. Credits to contributors are given HERE.