Nimbin Village

Crested Pigeon

wugh-wugh-wugh (Bundjalung name)

Ocyphaps lophotes

Songs & Calls

Loud coo-whoo or coo. Bird call recorded by Greg McLachlan.

Local Notes

Wherever I roam, the crested pigeon calls me home.

As a Nimbin toddler, I wore a Mohawk like my feathered friend.

Later, studying film far from Country, I’d spot one and feel strong again.

To me, this bird is a reminder: I belong, I transform, I return.

– Stone May

If startled, the Crested Pigeon takes to the air with a characteristic whistling flight, and glides with down turned wings. The whistling sound is produced by the air passing over a modified primary feather on the wing. Upon landing, the pigeon swings its tail high in the air.

The Crested Pigeon is a stocky pigeon with a conspicuous thin black crest. Most of the plumage is grey-brown, becoming more pink on the underparts.

The wings are barred with black, and are decorated with glossy green and purple patches. The head is grey, with a pinkish-red ring around the eye.

Average size is 33cm and average weight is 207 grams.