We don’t always look closely at common birds and some of them are beautiful; I think Crested Pigeons fall into this category.
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Crested Pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes)
Canon 7DII, 1/800, f/5.6, ISO 800, focal length 400mm
Crested Pigeons are relatively common across most of Australia, excluding Tasmania; they are about 33cm long and weigh approximately 200g.
Crested Pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes)
Canon 7DII, 1/800, f/5.6, ISO 800, focal length 300mm
When Crested Pigeons take off their wings make a magical whistling sound which is created by air passing a specially modified wing feather. They characteristically lift their tails when they land as if balancing their sturdy little bodies. I was pleased with the way the shrub in the background provided a kind of halo for the pigeon’s head and crest.
This pigeon moved gradually towards me as it foraged, it was focussing on seeds but also took a couple of insects. The expression on its face makes me smile, I guess it’s not often it comes across someone flat out on the ground taking photographs.
Happy birding, Kim
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