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With its distinctive upright crest, shimmering wing patches and unmistakable whistling take-off, the Crested Pigeon is one of Australia’s most recognisable and charismatic native birds.

Found across much of mainland Australia, this adaptable species has become a familiar sight in parks, gardens and open woodlands, earning a reputation as the ‘punk rocker’ of the bird world.

It is a reminder that some of Australia’s most fascinating wildlife can be found right outside our front doors.

Why it matters

The Crested Pigeon plays an important role in supporting healthy ecosystems.

🌱 It feeds primarily on seeds, helping to maintain the balance of native plant communities

🦅 It forms part of the food web, supporting native birds of prey and other predators

🐦 It contributes to the rich diversity of birdlife found across Australia’s landscapes

🏡 Its presence demonstrates how some native species can successfully adapt to changing environments

Even common backyard birds play an important role in keeping ecosystems healthy and connected.

Fun facts

🤓 The Crested Pigeon is the only Australian pigeon with a tall, pointed crest

🤓 Its wings produce a distinctive whistling sound when it takes flight, which can alert other birds to danger

🤓 Iridescent feathers on its wings shimmer with flashes of green and purple in the sunlight

🤓 It has adapted well to urban environments and is commonly seen in towns, cities and rural areas

A deeper reflection

The Crested Pigeon reminds us that biodiversity is not confined to national parks and remote wilderness.

Native birds are an important part of everyday life, connecting people with nature in suburbs, parks and backyards across Australia.

As urban areas continue to grow, creating and protecting habitat becomes increasingly important to ensure birds have access to food, shelter and nesting sites.

In a country with more than 600,000 native species, many found nowhere else on Earth, the Crested Pigeon shows how even familiar wildlife contributes to the richness and resilience of Australia’s ecosystems.

Small actions, such as planting native vegetation and reducing pesticide use, can help native birds continue to thrive alongside our communities.

Photo credit: deborod, iNaturalist.

From Wonder to Action

Learn & understand

Explore how biodiversity, climate and land systems are deeply connected through our workshops with People For Nature.

Create your Nature Oasis

Plant native species to restore habitat and support the insects, birds and wildlife that depend on them.

Join citizen science

Record native species around you on iNaturalist and contribute to real conservation data.

(Special thanks to Simon Andrews, Ambassador for People For Nature, for helping shape this story)

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References

BirdLife Australia. Crested Pigeon.
BirdLife Australia – Crested Pigeon

Australian Museum. Crested Pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes).
Australian Museum – Crested Pigeon

With its bright red tentacles and unusual star-shaped appearance, the Anemone Stinkhorn is one of Australia’s most eye-catching fungi and looks more like a sea creature than a mushroom.

Native to Australia, this remarkable fungus often appears in gardens, forests and mulch after rain, where its vibrant colours make it difficult to miss.

It is a reminder that fungi are among the most fascinating and overlooked forms of biodiversity.

Why it matters

The Anemone Stinkhorn plays an important role in supporting healthy ecosystems.

♻️ It helps break down dead organic matter and recycle nutrients back into the environment

❤️‍🩹 It contributes to soil health through the decomposition process

🍄 It forms part of the complex fungal networks that support ecosystem function

🌱 It highlights the often-overlooked importance of fungi in maintaining biodiversity

Without fungi such as the Anemone Stinkhorn, many natural systems would struggle to recycle nutrients efficiently.

Fun facts

🤓 The Anemone Stinkhorn is native to Australia

🤓 Its bright red tentacles give it a distinctive starfish-like appearance

🤓 It is commonly found growing in mulch, gardens and forested areas after rain

🤓 Its unusual smell helps attract insects, which assist with spore dispersal

A deeper reflection

The Anemone Stinkhorn challenges the idea that biodiversity is limited to plants and animals.

Fungi are essential to life on Earth, yet they often receive far less attention than the species we can easily see and recognise.

By breaking down organic matter and supporting nutrient cycling, fungi quietly sustain the ecosystems that countless other species depend upon.

In a country with more than 600,000 native species, many found nowhere else on Earth, the Anemone Stinkhorn reminds us that biodiversity includes an extraordinary hidden world beneath our feet.

Protecting habitats means protecting not only the plants and animals we love, but also the fungi that help keep ecosystems healthy and resilient.

From Wonder to Action

Learn & understand

Explore how biodiversity, climate, and land systems are deeply connected through our workshops with People For Nature.

Create your Nature Oasis

Plant native species to restore habitat and support the insects, birds, and wildlife that depend on them.

Join citizen science

Record native species around you on iNaturalist and contribute to real conservation data.

Photo credit: iNaturalist

(Special thanks to Simon Andrews, Ambassador for People For Nature, for helping shape this story)

References

Australian National Botanic Gardens. Aseroe rubra (Anemone Stinkhorn). https://www.anbg.gov.au/fungi/aseroe-rubra.html 

FungiMap. Australian fungi and their ecological importance.https://fungimap.org.au