Victoria crowned pigeon (Goura victoria). With an elegant crest of feathers on its head, this stunning bird could be considered the supermodel of the pigeon world.

Native to the New Guinea region, the pigeon is named after the great 19th-century British monarch Queen Victoria. The large, ground-dwelling pigeon has deep blue-grey feathers, a maroon chest, and a black mask punctuated by brilliant red eyes. What really makes it special, though, is its crest. One of three species of crowned pigeons, the Victoria crowned pigeon has a clearly defined crest topped by white-tipped feathers. The incredible plumes help give the pigeon its elegant, regal appearance.

In fact, it's the white-tipped crest that distinguishes the Victoria crowned pigeon from the other two crowned pigeon species. Though somewhat similar in appearance, the western crowned pigeon (Goura cristata) and Scheepmaker's crowned pigeon (Goura scheepmakeri) have a more scraggly crown that almost looks like a nest of hair.

These friendly birds enjoy company, and typically travel in pairs or groups while they forage for food. They'll walk along the forest floor, gathering fruit, unless disturbed. Then, they'll make a loud clapping noise while they fly up into the trees for protection. Unfortunately, Victoria crowned pigeons are becoming increasingly rare in the wild, especially since their beauty makes them the most widely kept of the crowned species in captivity.