Band-tailed Pigeon, Patagioenas fasciata
Band-tailed Pigeon, Patagioenas fasciata. Photograph taken within a residential community in Hereford, Arizona, September 2006. Photograph and identification courtesy of Bob Behrstock, Sierra Vista, Arizona (naturewideimages.com).
Background and Identification
The Band-tailed Pigeon, Patagioenas fasciata, is a large, forest-dwelling pigeon native to the Americas. This species is known for its distinctive appearance and gentle demeanor. It gets its name from its broad, pale band on the tail. A relative of the more widely distributed Rock Pigeon, Columba livia, the Band-tailed Pigeon is similar in size, posture, movements, and behavior. In Mexico, they are known as Paloma de Collar.
Band-tailed Pigeons are large generalist birds. In North America, the average length is 33 cm (13 inches) to 40 cm (16 inches) and the average body mass is 342 g (12 oz) to 364 g (13 oz). They have soft grey and blue plumage with a purplish-grey head and breast, and a white crescent or “collar” on the nape of the neck. The broad, pale band on their tail is light grey and the upper tail is usually dark grey and speckled. Bright, iridescent circular patches of skin surround its yellow eyes. These are usually green, pink, orange, or bronze. They have yellow legs and a yellow bill with a dark tip.
Habitat and Geographical Range
Band-tailed Pigeons are extremely adaptable and low-maintenance birds. They inhabit many forested environments and frequent suburban and urban areas with abundant food sources. They migrate at altitudes depending on the season, a behavior called altitudinal migrating. During the winter, they most often migrate to lower elevations in search of food. They return to higher elevations during the breeding season.
Band-tailed pigeons are found primarily in western North America, from British Colombia through the western United States to Central America. Band-tailed Pigeons have been seen as far north as northern Alaska and south as far as Argentina.
Common Misidentifications
Band-tailed Pigeons can be mistaken for other pigeons or dove species, especially due to their size and coloration. Another bird that is equally common in suburban areas is the Rock Pigeon, Columbia livia, another pigeon species. Rock Pigeons usually have more color variation when compared to Band-Tailed Pigeons. Rock Pigeons lack the light grey tail band and consistent color variation that Band-tailed Pigeons have. Two species of dove are also commonly misidentified as the Band-Tailed Pigeon, the Mourning Dove, Zenaida macroura, and the White-winged Dove, Zenaida asiatica. Both species are smaller and lack the broad tail band and white nape collar that Band-tails have.
Conservation Status
From a conservation perspective, the Band-tailed Pigeon is currently considered to be of Least Concern, but its populations are still monitored due to certain historical and potential threats. Historically, this species has faced population declines due to overhunting and habitat loss. Currently, habitat destruction and changes in forest composition pose ongoing threats for Band-tails.