Band-tailed Pigeon
What's in a name? What does it look like? What does it sound like? How does it behave? Where does it live? Cool facts Band-tailed Pigeon.
WHAT'S IN A NAME?		TOP
Common name Band-tailed Pigeon Scientific name Patagioenas fasciata (formerly Columba fasciata) Spanish names Paloma Torcaza, Paloma de Collar, Paloma Collareja, Paloma Encinera French names Pigeon à queue barrée Local names Native American (Chinook): "Akoigh homin" "Family" Tree (Taxonomy) Order Columbiformes Family Columbidae
WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?		TOP
Description Dark overall with white collar on nape. Tail dark gray at base, light gray across the tip. Feet yellow. Sexes look similar, but females duller, with narrower white crescent and less extensive iridescence. Males slightly larger. Size Large, chunky dove 13-16 inches; medium length tail. Similar species Rock Dove is similar in size and posture but has relatively shorter tail and stockier body. It is less uniformly patterned, shows white rump patch, all dark bill, pinkish feet, and sometimes a dark band at tip of tail.
WHAT DOES IT SOUND LIKE?		TOP
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Sounds provided by the Macaulay Library of Natural Sounds.
HOW DOES IT BEHAVE?		TOP
What does it eat? Vegetarian; seeds, fruit, acorns, pine nuts, and flowers. Where does it eat? Feeds in small flocks on ground in open agricultural areas and in fruit and nut-bearing trees in orchards and forests, under sparse to closed canopy. Travels long distances to gather food. Who eats it? Cooper's Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Northern Goshawk, Prairie Falcon, Peregrine Falcon, Great Horned Owl, Common Raven Nesting Usually 1 white, highly glossy egg. Range: 1-2. Incubated by both parents for 16 to 22 days. Nest is a flat saucer of loosely intertwined twigs, placed on a sturdy tree limb. Occasionally, sparse needles, moss, or breast-feathers also present.
WHERE DOES IT LIVE?		TOP
Range Southwestern United States to Northwestern Argentina Habitat Forest edges, agricultural areas, open ponderosa pine forests, orchards CLICK ON THE MAP TO ENLARGE.
COOL FACTS		TOP
Flocks of Band-tailed Pigeons range from a single bird to fifty or more. They perch in the tops of tall trees and are known to preen one another for parasites such as lice, fleas, and ticks. The Band-tailed Pigeon typically moves 32 - 40 km (20 - 26 mi) per day and are capable of flying through rainstorms and high winds. While feeding in grain fields, Band-tailed Pigeons in flock move as waves of small groups, leapfrogging ahead. Occasionally, similar leapfrogging downhill as birds feed on arboreal foods. Will defend nest against predator by hissing and striking toward it with the wrists of opened wings. Wing-slaps common by female when being courted by male at feeding site. Upon taking flight, at times, wings "clap" as they meet over the back (and perhaps below the body, but softer), similar to Rock Dove. Adults, especially in summer and particularly in the Pacific Coast region, frequently visit natural springs and water bodies high in mineral salts, where they rapidly peck at the soil or drink water intermittently, with long bouts of roosting in nearby trees. Drinks by inserting bill into water; appears to suck up a continuous draught of liquid. Especially in n. Pacific Coast region, drinks water and may ingest minerals encrusted on pebbles and soil at natural and artificially created mineral deposits ("mineral springs"). Will peck at salt licks on grazing range. Food apparently found by small flocks of Band-tailed Pigeons, with tail fanning when landing as a signal to others as to food location. 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). In trees, may hang upside down to pick off acorns, fruit, or buds. Swallows acorns whole, without cap. Crop walls sometimes pierced by acorns; will feed on pine cones fallen onto the ground. If undisturbed, appears to feed to satiation. 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. Female incubates at night, beginning late afternoon; male midday. Before relieving incubating mate, incoming adult approaches nest from underneath, hopping upward; after a quick changeover, off-duty adult flies away quickly, but may roost nearby; incoming parent settles down smoothly. Eggs are turned frequently, averaging 3 times a day, more frequent late in incubation. Parent attentive, leaves nest rarely and briefly. Pigeons produce food for their young that is unique from other types of birds. "Pigeon's Milk" is a milky substance produced in the birds crop (food-storage pouch which is the first stage in the birds digestive tract). During the first few weeks of the nestling's life, the parents' crops produce a thick, milky substance made of protein and fat. Gradually, the parents add solid foods, softened by the milk, until their young are ready for solids. Rapid population declines in recent years have resulted in Band-tailed Pigeons being listed as an Audubon WatchList species. You can help scientists keep track of Band-tailed Pigeon populations, just by counting them! - Go to Dove Detectives to find out more. It's fun and easy! Learn more about Band-tailed Pigeons at All About Birds.

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. Hammon, S. 2001. "Columba fasciata", Animal Diversity Web.

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