- Origin: Papua New Guinea
- Class: Birds
- Order: Columbiformes
- Family: Columbidés
The VictoriaCrowned-pigeon inhabits the thick virgin forests of northern Papua New Guinea and can be distinguished from the other two species by the blue feathers with white edges on its hoopoe. It is the largest member of the pigeon family. It feeds on the ground on berries, seeds and sometimes insects, and sleeps perched in trees. It builds its nest high up with twigs and dry leaves. The female lays a single egg, which the parents incubate for 28 days. The species is altricial, the young is raised by the parents until he leave the nest, 30 to 36 days later. The chick is born blind and featherless. It has a lifespan of 15-20 years.
It is difficult to protect them, as deforestation for palm oil plantations is damaging their habitat and they are still poached for their meat and feathers, even though hunting is totally banned.
IUCN status: Near-threatened (appendix II)