Band-tailed Pigeon

Band-tailed Pigeon adult

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Band-tailed Pigeon juvenile

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1. Description
2. Sound
3. Conservation Status
4. Other Names
5. Cool Facts
6. Full detailed species account

Although this large pigeon looks a lot like the introduced Rock Pigeon, it's a native. The Band-tailed Pigeon is found in two distinct regions in the American West, as well as throughout Central and South America.

Description

• Large pigeon.
• Dark overall.
• White collar on nape.
• Tail dark gray at base, light gray across the tip.
• Feet yellow.

• Size: 33-40 cm (13-16 in)
• Weight: 342-364 g (12.07-12.85 ounces)

Sex Differences

Sexes look similar, but females duller, with narrower white crescent and less extensive iridescence. Males slightly larger.

Sound

Repeated deep hooting coos, rising slightly in pitch. Wing clap on taking flight.

Conservation Status

Populations declining in most areas.

Other Names

Pigeon à queue barrée (French)
Paloma de collar, Paloma collareja, Paloma torcaza, Paloma encinera (Spanish)

Cool Facts

• Though the species has two distinct breeding populations in the United States, individuals do move from one region to the other. One Band-tailed Pigeon banded in Oregon was shot a year later in Florida, well outside the normal range.

• An Oregon study found that the average distance a Band-tailed Pigeon traveled from its nest to a feeding site was 5 km (3.1 mi).

Sources used to construct this page:

Keppie, D. M., and C. E. Braun. 2000. Band-tailed Pigeon (Columba fasciata). In The Birds of North America, No. 530 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.