Plumbeous Pigeon

Overview

The plumbeous pigeon (Patagioenas plumbea) is a species of pigeon in the family Columbidae, currently assessed as Least Concern by the IUCN. It is a widespread and fairly common bird across much of its range.

Identification

• 34 cm (13 in) long and weighing 172 to 231 g.
• Males feature a dark gray head, neck, and underparts often with a pinkish or purplish tinge, while females have a less intense purplish wash.
• Red eye surrounded by bare purplish red skin; hindneck may display bronzy spots.
• Song is a repeated rhythmic phrase of 2–5 coos, and the call is a purring, drawn-out, slightly overslurred 'rrrrrow'.

Habitat

Found in tropical and subtropical rainforest and cloudforest, both primary and secondary. North of the Rio Orinoco, it inhabits elevations between 1,200 and 1,900 m, but south of there only between 200 and 300 m. Its range extends across Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela.

Diet

Forages in the forest canopy for fruit and seeds. In Brazil, it feeds heavily on mistletoe drupes at certain times of the year.

Did you know?

In southeastern Brazil, the plumbeous pigeon makes seasonal altitudinal migrations.