I have recently spotted flocks of topknot pigeons ( Lopholaimus antarticus) in the Gap in Brisbane. Seen them often in the rainforest up the mountain but never down in suburbia. Just wondering if they are coming down here because of lack of food on the mountain?
Not sure of that is the case down your way, but we get them in Buderim every summer. They come in for the berries on the Palm trees in my area and stay for a while. I have seen up to 20 at a time over the last few weeks. They are a beautiful pigeon huh?
Sunshine Coast Queensland
Heaps of Crested Pigeons on the grounds of Riverview (near Lane Cove West). I was there the other day and counted 28 feeding on the main oval near the swimming centre. Top Knot paradise! They were all very fat too so eating well. Was told by the groundsman that the Crested Pigeons are regulars and to be wary of eating in the picnic area as the local Kookaburra family will knock off your tucker whn you least expect it!
Hi Raven not sure if you are aware that Top Knots and Crested are different? I dont think you would find Top Knots feeding on the ground, at least I have never observed it . I love the crested ones too, as they are so colourful when the light catches them
Sunshine Coast Queensland
It's confusing here in SA, birdie. Most folk call crested pigeons top knots.
If you have ever been fortunate enough to see a "real" top knot - you would not confuse them. They are magnificent. Oddly, I used to work in a wildlife sanctuary that had both top knots and cresties and a crestie and top knot paired up. Very cute and also weirdly ironic given that most people confuse them. The top knot was twice the size of the crestie but obviously that was no barrier to true love. They were a couple for years....
Yes there really is nothing similar about the two species at all and the size of the Top Knots is amazing. Woko just tell them they are wrong and explain the difference!! It drives me crazy when people mix up breeds like that and then just say...oh well that is what we call them LOL
Sunshine Coast Queensland
I agree birdie. When people here talk about the top knot pigeon I usually say "Oh, you mean the crested pigeon." In future I'll tell them what a top knot pigeon really is. It certainly ain't a crested pigeon.
Hi Roseybee,
I live in Mt Gravatt, which is even more "suburban" than The Gap in terms of having less bushland nearby, and certainly less rainforest-type habitat. However, there have recently been a few sightings of Topknot Pigeons on Mt Gravatt (on the mountain), which is dry forest. The pigeons are eating fruits from the trees.
Not sure why they've come down from the mountains near your area. Do they move with the seasons? That is, could they be on there way elsewhere?
Regards,
Andy.