Victoria Crowned Pigeon 1a

An adult Victoria Crowned Pigeon. (Source: Zoo Miami/Ron Magill)

Victoria Crowned Pigeon 4a

Victoria crowned pigeons are the world’s largest living pigeons reaching a length of nearly 30 inches and weighing close to five pounds. (Source: Ron Magill/Zoo Miami)

Victoria Crowned Pigeon 18 days 1a

The single chick hatched on November 30th after being artificially incubated in the zoo’s brooder building for 28 days. (Source: Ron Magill/Zoo Miami)

Victoria Crowned Pigeon 18 days 2a

They are one of the closest living relatives of the now extinct Dodo bird. (Source: Ron Magill/Zoo Miami)

Victoria Crowned Pigeon 18 days 3a

Found in the lowland forests of New Guinea and portions of Indonesia, these stunning birds are threatened by deforestation for logging as well as hunting for food and their ornate feathers. (Source: Ron Magill/Zoo Miami)

Victoria Crowned Pigeon 18 days 5a

They are found in small flocks on the forest floor foraging for seeds, fruit and snails. (Source: Ron Magill/Zoo Miami)

Victoria Crowned Pigeon 18 days 6a

This is the chick at 18 days old. (Source: Ron Magill/Zoo Miami)

Victoria Crowned Pigeon 18 days a

Once this chick is weaned, the hope is to introduce it into Zoo Miami’s “Wings of Asia” aviary exhibit. (Source: Ron Magill/Zoo Miami)