Crested cuckoo-dove

The crested cuckoo-dove (Reinwardtoena crassirostris) is a species of bird in the pigeon family, Columbidae. First described by English zoologist John Gould in 1856, it is endemic to the Solomon Islands archipelago, where it mainly inhabits hill forests at elevations of 500–900 m (1,600–3,000 ft). It is a large and robust pigeon, with a length of 40–42 cm (16–17 in) and a distinctive pale purplish-grey crest. Adults are mainly bluish-grey, with a pale greyish-buff throat, blackish tail, and yellow-tipped reddish bill. Both sexes look alike. Juveniles lack the crest, have darker heads, and have duller wings.

The species feeds on fruit in the canopy and is usually seen alone or in pairs. The only known nest was found in November 1995 on an inaccessible cliff. Nests contain a single egg, which is incubated by both parents. The dove is listed as being near threatened on the IUCN Red List due to its presumed moderately small population, which is thought to be declining due to widespread deforestation in lowland forests across the species's range.

The crested cuckoo-dove is a large and robust pigeon, with a length of 40–42 cm (16–17 in). Its most prominent feature is the long, pale purplish-grey crest made by the hairy-textured feathers on the top of the head and back of the neck. This crest is held up at an angle of 45 degrees when the pigeons perch. The head is pale purplish-grey and the throat is pale greyish-buff, turning bluish-grey towards the breast and neck. The underparts, upper back, and wings are darker bluish-black, and the tail is blackish. In some birds, the breast and underparts have a light yellowish-brown tinge. The rectrices (outer tail feathers) have a pale grey band across their base, widest in the outermost feathers. The iris is yellow and surrounded by a ring of red orbital skin. The bill is reddish and tipped yellow, with a strongly hooked mandible, while the legs are red. Adults of both sexes look alike. Juveniles lack the crest, have darker heads, and duller wings, as well as rust-coloured edges to most of their feathers.

Although the species is fairly distinctive, it may be confused with some other species. In flight, the crest is held flat and is hard to see; consequently, the pale mountain pigeon may be mistaken for the crested cuckoo-dove when seen poorly in flight. The mountain pigeon lacks a crest and has a thinner beak, longer wings, a shorter tail, and scaled upperparts. The crested cuckoo-dove is also sometimes confused with the extinct Choiseul pigeon; the two species are extremely different in appearance, but both possess crests. Misidentifications of the cuckoo-dove have led to several claims of the Choiseul pigeon's continued existence.

The species's advertising call is a mournful, whistling wha...whuaaw...wha...whuaaw (also described as a hoo-woooahha): the first note rises in pitch, and the second note is more drawn-out and slurred, first rising before falling and trailing off. The call is far-carrying and does not differ much across its range. A call similar to the advertising call is made by the male when displaying to the female; males move their head forward slowly while giving each call. Vocalisations are sometimes made while perched on a high branch in canopy.