Victorian Crowned Pigeons Info and Pictures?

[usschicago1]

Hello

I have been admiring these birds lately! Marvelous creatures! I guess for 5,500 dollars a pair I won't have any soon, But would love to hear/see yours!

 

[elmo]

We don't have any ourselves, but we got to know one individual at the walk in aviary at the Dallas Zoo. It's my daughter's favorite place to go and the first year it was open we went nearly every day for an hour or more. Now our visits are down to once a week or so.

Anyway, the Victoria Crowned Pigeon at the aviary was named "Vic," and was a very stately bird. He would strut around majestically and demand that the other ground dwelling birds and visitors to the aviary give way before him. There was one keeper he took a mysterious dislike to for no reason anyone can determine. He'd chase her and try to wing box her. He actually connected a time or two and she told me it was surprisingly painful. They are rather large birds, and can apparently swing their wings with pretty good force.

We only saw Vic fly once or twice, although that may be more of an individual thing. The Victoria Crowned Pigeons at the Asian aviary at Disney's Animal Kingdom actually nest high in the trees in their enclosure...or so it looked to us when we visited.

Sadly, Vic is no longer in the walk in aviary at the Dallas zoo. They got afraid that he would wing box a visitor, perhaps a child, so they traded him to another zoo. We miss him.

 

[usschicago1]

Quote:
Wow, very nice story. I wonder if it was aggressive because it didn't have a mate?
Thanks so much for sharing!