farming areas, often feeding on the noxious weed of Echium plantagineum. Behaviour Their most distinctive behaviour is the beating and whistling sound their wings make when they take off. This is most likely to draw the attention of predators to birds on the wing, and away from any birds remaining on the ground, and as an alarm call to other pigeons. When the birds land, their tails tilt upwards and the flight patterns are similar to those of the spotted turtle dove. They can be highly social and tend to be seen in flocks of varying sizes. They are highly gregarious birds when in contact with humans. Breeding While they breed throughout the year, it is more common in the warmer months. Males approach females and begin an elaborate mating dance; they bob their bodies up and down, while opening and closing their wings like a fan with each bob. This is accompanied by a soft hooting which is timed with the bobbing. If the female is interested, she remains generally stationary as the male approaches, until copulation is attempted. Nesting usually occurs in shrubs or trees. Nests usually consist of a platform of twigs. They lay two oval, white, glossy eggs. The eggs usually hatch 3 weeks after they were laid. Both parents incubate the eggs. References Pizzey and Knight, "Field Guide to the Birds of Australia", Angus & Robertson, Trounsen and Trounsen, "Australian Birds: A Concise Photographic Field Guide, Cameron House. . External links Birds in Backyards Columbidae Endemic birds of Australia crested pigeon crested pigeon Articles containing video clips