Victoria Topped Pigeon: Chicken Species Profile

Strikingly lovely and clever, the Victoria topped pigeon is a captivating floor hen to look at. It’s common to see at a zoo or aviary. Though it is a mild hen, it’s not a hen for novices. Even pigeon fanciers and skilled hen homeowners want to make sure they’ve the devoted area and time required by these majestic creatures.

Origin and Historical past

Initially from New Guinea and launched to close by islands, the Victoria topped pigeon has been bred in captivity for a whole bunch of years. They are a widespread sight in the USA and the UK at zoos and aviaries, although they’re considerably uncommon within the pet hen commerce.

This hen is the most important residing pigeon and the closest remaining relative to the extinct dodo hen. It was named in honor of Queen Victoria for its flashy blue crown of intricate lace-like patterns and its regal poise.

Within the tropical rainforests of New Guinea, Victoria topped pigeons have been hunted for his or her meat and feathers. Resulting from looking and habitat destruction, the wild inhabitants had declined quickly, endangering the species to close extinction. As a protected species, it has improved from being a “threatened” and “weak” species to “close to threatened.” Deforestation of its pure habitat nonetheless happens.

Temperament

Victoria topped pigeons are identified to be clever and fairly simple to tame. This hen is docile by nature, which is why they seem to be a frequent attraction at zoos. They’re usually left to roam the grounds freely and are typically happiest when foraging for meals on the bottom and wandering round.

This hen can fly brief distances however will solely fly when essential, often when startled, at risk, or in want of a excessive roost within the bushes for the evening.

Speech and Vocalizations

The decision of this pigeon is in contrast to breeds chances are you’ll be used to. It isn’t a soothing, cooing pigeon. Victoria topped pigeons set free extra of a hole “growth” sound that may be fairly loud and stunning.

Victoria Topped Pigeon Colours and Markings

A shocking hen, Victoria topped pigeons sport powdery blue feathers on their our bodies with crimson eyes, a darkish masks, and maroon breasts. They show a lighter shade of blue on their wings and in a band on their tailfeathers.

The crest seems like a lovely show of darkish blue lace with vivid white ideas. This crown makes them appear extra like a peacock than a pigeon.

This hen is a monomorphic species, that means women and men look alike. A male could also be barely bigger than a feminine, nevertheless it’s barely noticeable. To determine the intercourse of your hen, it might require a surgical sexing process or a genetic check.

Caring for Victoria Topped Pigeons

Victoria topped pigeons spend fairly a little bit of time on the bottom and want loads of room to run round and train. They want a minimal of 200 sq. toes of floor area of their enclosures. Additionally they want roosts at varied heights. 

These area necessities may be arduous for even probably the most devoted fanatic to satisfy. In different phrases, if you cannot present your hen with a flight the identical dimension as the common bed room, then you shouldn’t contemplate adopting a Victoria topped pigeon.

These pigeons are likely to do finest as a pair in a single flight enclosure; a solo hen could turn out to be too lonely. Throughout the breeding season, males could struggle one another. The males have an elaborate courtship dance. Typically, a mating pair will solely produce a most of three eggs annually. Each the female and male incubate the eggs, which takes round a month to hatch and lift the younger squabs.

Regardless of their docile character, this isn’t a low upkeep hen. Since they’re foragers, clear the enclosure commonly, so they do not get well being points from consuming their droppings together with their meals.

Remember that the birds are native to a tropical local weather and can do finest in heat, humid areas. They can’t tolerate temperatures beneath 40 levels Fahrenheit. In case your area will get chilly, you will want to determine how you can present warmth. The enclosure also needs to shield the birds from wind and rain.

Victoria topped pigeons usually tolerate birds of different species fairly nicely. It’s usually finest once they’re the one floor hen. For instance, you do not need to maintain these birds with a busy flock of chickens; it should stress out the pigeons that always desire a peaceful atmosphere.

Widespread Well being Issues

The largest well being threats for these birds are fungal infections they will get from their fecal droppings. The birds breathe in fungal spores that kind on their droppings. These spores may cause doubtlessly deadly respiratory illnesses, resembling histoplasmosis and candidiasis.

Weight-reduction plan and Vitamin

Like all pigeons, Victoria topped pigeons feed on the bottom. Within the wild, their food plan consists primarily of fallen fruits, seeds, grains, and small invertebrates. They’re significantly keen on figs.

Captive topped pigeons do nicely on a high-quality seed and grain combine, and plenty of keepers follow a regular dove combine. They need to additionally get common servings of recent fruit and veggies. Supply a couple of 1 cup of seed combine and 1 cup of fruit and veggies per day—regulate the each day portion in accordance with their urge for food. This species isn’t identified for overeating. Take away any uneaten recent meals on the finish of every day to stop spoilage.

Train

Like most pigeons, these birds want loads of room to train, stretch their muscular tissues, and play. They’ll entertain themselves and stroll across the enclosure foraging. You’ll be able to encourage this behavior by strategically putting their meals across the enclosure and providing them an thrilling number of meals and hidden treats.

The place to Undertake or Purchase a Victoria Topped Pigeon

Whereas these pigeons could also be extra obscure than different hen species, there are a number of aviaries left within the U.S. that breed and supply them for personal sale. Should you can present for the hen’s wants and have your coronary heart set on one, preserve trying. The probabilities are that you will see one finally. Be ready to pay a hefty worth as a result of a pair can simply run a number of thousand {dollars}. Rescues, adoption organizations, and breeders the place you would possibly discover Victoria topped pigeons embrace:

• Pigeon Nest
• Pandemonium Aviaries

Be sure that the hen you wish to take house is wholesome. The hen ought to be alert, energetic, and have vivid eyes, clear feathers, and a full crop.

Extra Pet Chicken Species and Additional Analysis

Should you’re all in favour of equally unique hen species, try:

• Ring-Neck Dove Species Profile
• Snowy Owl Species Profile
• Black Palm Cockatoo Species Profile

In any other case, try all of our different giant hen species profiles.