​Date Published: April 2011
Assessment Summary
The crested pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes) occurs naturally across
mainland Australia with the exception of the Top End, Cape York Peninsula and
the extreme south-east and south-west. An introduced population of the crested
pigeon is established on Kangaroo Island. The natural distribution of the
crested pigeon includes areas similar in climate to Tasmania. Crested pigeons
are very adaptable, and there is therefore potential for this species to
establish in Tasmania. There is no record of the crested pigeon as an
environmental or agricultural pest.
In Tasmania the crested pigeon is currently listed as a controlled animal
under the Nature Conservation Act 2002. A permit is required to import
the crested pigeon but it can be held without a permit to possess wildlife.
If the crested pigeon established in Tasmania it is likely to compete with
the common bronzewing (Phaps chalcoptera) and the brush bronzewing (Phaps
elegans) for food and other resources. The establishment of the crested
pigeon in Tasmania also has the potential for an impact on agricultural
industries as the species has attributes that make it capable of damaging
various commodities such as cereal grains (including wheat, barley, and oats)
and oilseeds (including canola and sunflower). However, there are no reports or
other evidence that it has caused damage in any country or region therefore
this risk assessment estimates that the potential consequences on agriculture
is low.
Assessment Documentation
Crested Pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes) (450Kb)