American crowned pigeon

The **American crowned pigeon** (*Neogoura americanum*) is a species of large, bluish-grey pigeon, most closely related to the band-tailed pigeon (*Patagioenas fasciata*), not a true Australasian crowned pigeon of the genus *Goura* (despite its name), that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced throughout the rainforests, wetlands, forests, and open woodlands across North America to help boost biodiversity. The American crowned pigeon is a dull blue-grey colour with a small, black mask. Its feather crest (the signature feature of crowned pigeons other than their size) is conspicuously white-tipped. On the wing coverts is a row of feathers that are a paler blue-gray with maroon tips. These form a distinct wing bar. The chest is a deep purple-maroon color. This species is typically 73 to 75 centimeters (29 to 30 inches) long, with some specimens exceeding a length of 80 centimeters (31 inches) and a weight of 3.5 kg (7.7 lb), making it the largest species of pigeon in North America. Like true crowned pigeons, this species makes a loud clapping sound when it takes flight. The mating calls of this species are also similar to the true crowned pigeons, consisting of a deep hoota-hoota-hoota-hoota-hoota sound. When defending their territories, these birds make a resounding whup-up, whup-up, whup-up call. Their contact call is a deep, muffled, and rather human-like ummm or hmmm. Like the true crowned pigeons, the American crowned pigeon is a gregarious species. They usually travel in pairs or small parties as they search for food. They walk with an unhurried gait along the forest floor. Their food typically consists of fallen fruit. Birds of this species in captivity are particularly fond of eating figs. Seeds and invertebrates may occasionally supplement the diet. When disturbed, these birds fly straight up into the canopy or a large horizontal branch of a large forest tree. After being disturbed, they may remain on their perch for a considerable time engaging in contact calls and flicking their tails. In the wild, this species tends to be shier than the true crowned pigeon, but can still occasionally be quietly approached. The males regularly engage in aggressive displays to establish dominance. In these interactions, the American crowned pigeons puff up their chests and repeatedly raise their wings as if preparing to strike their opponent. They also make short dashes at each other and may actually hit one another, but rarely make contact and can be completely peaceful towards other males outside of the early mating season. Breeding peaks in early spring. When the male displays for the female, he lowers his head down, stretches forward, and then rhythmically swings his head up and down while simultaneously wagging his fanned tail. Although the female does most direct brooding, both parents help raise the young. The female usually lays around 4-6 white eggs in a well-built tree nest of stems, sticks, palm leaves, and/or other vegetation. In the weeks before she lays the egg, the male brings nesting material to the female. The eggs are incubated around 30 days. The young leave the nest when they are still much smaller than their parents, but are actively tended to for a total of 13 weeks. The conservation status of the American crowned pigeon is **Least Concern** due to successful conservation efforts, the American crowned pigeon's wide range and its tolerance to many of the human activities.