Band-tailed Pigeon
NameBand-tailed Pigeon
Common NameBand-tailed Pigeon
Scientific NamePatagioenas fasciata
FamilyColumbidae
Wingspan (cm)68.5
Length (cm)36.5
Weight (g)350
Plumage DetailsAdults have a dusky gray body, purplish-pink head and breast, and a distinctive white crescent on the nape of the neck, bordered by an iridescent green patch on the hindneck. The bill is yellow with a black tip, and the feet are yellow. The tail is dark with a pale band across the middle, which is more noticeable in flight.
Vocalization / CallIts vocalization is a low, owl-like 'hoo-hoo-hoo' or 'whoo-whoo-whoo' call, often repeated.
Primary Dietfrugivore
Primary Habitatsforest, mountain
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeFound in western North America, ranging from British Columbia south through the western United States, Mexico, and into Central America.
Identifying FeaturesLarge size, Purplish-pink head and breast, Yellow bill with black tip, White nape crescent, Iridescent green hindneck patch, Dark tail with pale band
Description
The Band-tailed Pigeon is a large, plump pigeon with a relatively small head and long tail. It is primarily arboreal, foraging for fruits and seeds in coniferous and mixed forests, often found in mountainous regions.
