Facts About Plain pigeon
The plain pigeon, a member of the Columbidae family, is found in Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico. It thrives in diverse habitats such as forests, woodlands, coastal deserts, mangroves, and swamps. Despite this adaptability, the species is increasingly threatened by habitat loss.
In terms of appearance, the plain pigeon is relatively large, closely resembling the common city pigeon but sporting a pale blue-gray plumage. Notable features include a red-wine hue on its head, nape, breast, and wings, complemented by dark red legs and feet.
There are three recognized subspecies of the plain pigeon, believed to be island variants of either the red-billed pigeon or the Maranon pigeon from Central and South America. One subspecies, the Puerto Rican plain pigeon, came perilously close to extinction in the 1970s. However, thanks to an intensive conservation program, its population has since recovered to several thousand individuals.