The pigeon order contains 2 families: the sand chicken family and the doves. Common domestic pigeons belong to the doves family. The largest pigeon in the world is the Victoria crested dove, which lives mainly in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea and neighbouring islands.
The Victorian crested dove, also known as the Victorian Emperor Pigeon, is the largest pigeon pigeon, with a body length of 70-75 cm and a weight of 2-3 kg. They are blue throughout and have smooth and neat feathers. It is also one of the most handsome pigeons in all pigeon breeds, the Victorian crown pigeon is of equal color, mostly with steel-blue-grey feathers, dark brown feathers on the underbody and pale and gray wings. The iris is a striking bright red. Unlike other pigeons, the crested dove has 16 tail feathers instead of 12.
The most remarkable thing is that they have blue fan-shaped crown feathers on their heads, and both male and female have such beautiful crown feathers, like a phoenix crown worn on their heads. The Victorian crowned dove also enjoys the title of "Queen of Pigeons". During breeding, male and female birds spread out their fan-shaped crowns to delight each other. The Victorian crown dove is also a symbol of the steadfastness of love, and as long as they find a partner, they will stay together until they are old.
The Victorian crested dove often inhabits near-water forests or swamps, as well as hilly forests below 350 m above sea level, and also in dense secondary forests and mangroves. Their nests are built on trees, but spend most of their time on the ground, feeding mainly on fruit, plant seeds, and mollusks such as snails that fall to the ground. This pigeon is different from most pigeons in that they have no ability to fly and can only jump up a few meters.
The Victorian crested dove's feathers are extremely precious, and the meat is delicious, making it a very popular local delicacy. And do not have the ability to fly very easy to catch, so they have been hunted by humans, so that their number has dropped sharply, and it has become a very rare breed. It was later listed as a Grade II Protected Animal of the Washington Convention, and the IUCN considered it a red endangered species, and the Indonesian government also printed it on a $100 rupee note to promote its protection, so that the Victorian crested dove family was able to preserve it.