They are found from sea level up to 600 meters in elevation. Groups of 2-10 birds forage on the forest floor and flush into the tree tops when alarmed. In the wild they are believed to feed on fallen fruits, seeds, berries, insects, and other invertebrates. The National Zoo feeds its pigeons a diet of papaya, Bird of Paradise pellets, avian maintenance pellets, mealworms, and corn grubs. Little is known about the breeding behavior of wild crowned pigeons.
Captive birds reach sexual maturity in their second year.
Nesting birds construct a platform of sticks and twigs in the branches of trees, up to 15 meters off the ground. Both parents incubate the single large white egg for 28-30 days. When the chick hatches its eyes are closed and it is nearly featherless. Shortly before the chick is due to hatch, the lining of the parent bird's crop begins to thicken. This lining sloughs off to form a cheesy material which the parents regurgitate to feed the chick until it is 3-10 days old.