The pheasant pigeon (Otidiphaps nobilis) is a species of large terrestrial pigeon. It is the only species of the monotypic genus Otidiphaps. The pheasant pigeon is found in the primary rainforests of New Guinea and nearby islands. It ranges primarily over hilly and lower mountain areas, but can also be found in lowlands.
The genus name makes reference to its similarities to the bustard family (Otidae). Its common name reflects its adaptation to living on the forest floor in the fashion of a South East Asian pheasant.
Commonly, there are four subspecies recognized that differ primarily in the presence or absence of a small crest and in the colour of the nape:[2]
Some authors however recognize the 4 subspecies as 4 different species, a classification scheme followed by the IUCN.[6][1]
The pheasant pigeon resembles a pheasant in external morphology, particularly in its laterally compressed tail and the rounded wings. They have glossy black heads, undersides, rears and lower backs, and short rounded brown wings, and a white, green, grey, or black nape depending on the subspecies. No galliform birds occur in New Guinea, and the pheasant pigeon has filled the ecological niche of a partridge or small pheasant (while the larger Goura crowned pigeons have a lifestyle similar to larger pheasants, grouse or turkeys). It is a highly secretive species, feeding on seeds and fallen fruits. It nests on the ground below trees and bushes, laying one egg that it incubates for around four weeks. Both adults incubate and look after the young, feeding regurgitated crop milk to their young (a common practice for most pigeons).
They have a range of calls including a drilling- like sound, a typical pigeon cooing call and a loud "wu-huwoooooa" call which rises and falls in pitch before trailing off at the end.