Not so long ago, it was quite exciting* to see crested pigeons (Ocyphaps lophotes) in the Melbourne CBD. Now the place is full of 'em. They are typically birds of open country, feeding in grasslands but preferring to stay close to water. Perhaps the drought has forced them into the city. They are usually tame when in small flocks but this one (which I photographed in the spot previously occupied by the masked lapwing) was alone and cautious. They are little charmers. When walking quickly, they look like wind-up toys.
Here's some footage of crested pigeons moving as quickly as their little legs will let them. Lower resolution footage (690KB) or higher resolution (3.5MB).
Trevor, from Trevor's Birding, has blogged on crested pigeons in South Australia, where they're becoming very bold indeed.
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* I need to get out more.
