White-crowned Pigeon

White-crowned Pigeon, adult; Key West, FL; April

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

A resident of islands and coastlines in the Caribbean, the White-crowned Pigeon reaches the northern limits of its range in south Florida. It feeds almost entirely on fruits of hardwood trees.

Description

• Large pigeon.
• Slate gray overall.
• White cap on top of head, extending down to eye level.
• Iridescent green feathers on back of neck.

• Size: 33-35 cm (13-14 in)
• Wingspan: 59 cm (23 in)
• Weight: 220-280 g (7.77-9.88 ounces)

Sex Differences

Sexes similar, but female usually has a grayish crown, dull neck patch, and brownish cast to upperparts.

Sound

Call a repeated coo. Also a gruff, three-part growl.

Conservation Status

Threatened throughout its range. Hunted for food in late 19th century and early 20th century in Florida. Now protected in Florida, but still hunted extensively in Caribbean countries. Habitat availability is crucial for the species' nesting success; mangrove forests where the species breeds in Florida are all within national parks and refuges. If in the direct path of severe hurricanes, significant portions of habitat in Florida could be destroyed for years. Loss of breeding and feeding habitats remain a concern throughout the range of the species.

Other Names

Pigeon à couronne blanch (French)
Paloma corona blanca (Spanish)

Cool Facts

• The White-crowned Pigeon nests and forages in two distinct habitats: islands and forests supporting fruiting trees. Daily flights between the two habitats are sometimes longer than 30 miles (50 km).

• The ground speed of the White-crowned Pigeon in flight has not been formally documented, but is said to easily outpace a fast motorboat.

Sources used to construct this page:

Bancroft, G. T., and R. Bowman. 2001. White-crowned Pigeon (Columba leucocephala). In The Birds of North America, No. 596 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.