ExploreBirds

Band-tailed Pigeon

Patagioenas fasciata

The Band-tailed Pigeon is a beautiful bird with a long tail and soft gray feathers. They love to eat seeds and fruits and can often be seen in trees or flying in the sky.

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Band-tailed Pigeon is a large, sturdy grey pigeon with a distinctive white band across its nape and an iridescent bronze-green patch on its neck. It has bright yellow legs and a yellow bill tipped with black. Its slightly iridescent purple head and dark tail make it unique.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderColumbiformesFamilyColumbidaeGenusPatagioenas
Band-tailed Pigeon
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Band-tailed Pigeon

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

7

Interesting facts

A Band-tailed Pigeon can gulp down huge acorns whole, helping to spread tree seeds far away.

Their unique call sounds less like a coo and more like an owl's deep hoot or 'whoo-WHOO!'.

These pigeons are the only native pigeon species found in North America!

They drink water by sucking it up like a straw, unlike most birds that tilt their heads back.

Special abilities

Ability

Crop Milk Power

Band-tailed Pigeons can produce a nutritious 'crop milk' because of special glands, helping their young grow super fast.

Ability

Berry Feast Master

Band-tailed Pigeons can eat berries toxic to many animals because their specialized digestive system processes them safely.

Ability

Forest Navigator

Band-tailed Pigeons have strong, agile wings that help them expertly fly through dense forest canopies.

Measurements & details

Length
33-40 cm
Wingspan
66-71 cm
Weight
0.25-0.5 kg
Lifespan
12-15 years
Top Speed
80 km/h
Clutch Size
1
Incubation
18-20 days
Migration Distance
1000 km

Diet & Feeding

These forest birds eat mostly fruits, nuts, and seeds from tall trees.

Age differences: Young squabs are fed 'crop milk' by both parents before switching to seeds and berries.

Primary Foods

  • acorns
  • elderberries
  • huckleberries
  • cascara berries
  • pine nuts
  • flower buds

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Enjoy watching birds from a distance and don't try to touch or catch them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Band-tailed Pigeon?

The easiest way to identify Band-tailed Pigeon is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

How long is Band-tailed Pigeon?

33-40 cm

What is Band-tailed Pigeon's wingspan?

66-71 cm

How much does Band-tailed Pigeon weigh?

0.25-0.5 kg

How long does Band-tailed Pigeon live?

12-15 years

How fast can Band-tailed Pigeon move?

80 km/h

What does Band-tailed Pigeon eat?

These forest birds eat mostly fruits, nuts, and seeds from tall trees.

Where is Band-tailed Pigeon usually found?

Forests

Snap Map

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