Band-tailed pigeon

The band-tailed pigeon is a medium-sized bird native to the Americas, closely related to the Chilean pigeon and the ring-tailed pigeon. Together, they form a group known as Patagioenas. There are at least eight subspecies of these pigeons, with some experts classifying them into northern and southern varieties.

These pigeons are found from British Columbia to Argentina, typically inhabiting oak, pine-oak, and coniferous forests at elevations up to 3,600 meters. Their diet mainly consists of seeds, especially acorns, along with berries and fruits. Notably, the band-tailed pigeon is the largest pigeon in North America, measuring between 33 to 40 cm in length and weighing between 225 and 515 grams.

These pigeons are relatively quiet, with a low, owl-like call. They build simple nests from twigs and usually lay one or two eggs. Outside the breeding season, band-tailed pigeons form flocks and can be quite nomadic, moving in search of food or different habitats.

An interesting fact about the band-tailed pigeon is that it hosts a parasitic louse, Columbicola extinctus, which was thought to have disappeared with the passenger pigeon. Due to their genetic connection to the passenger pigeon, band-tailed pigeons are being studied for possible efforts to de-extinct the species.

These pigeons have also adapted well to suburban areas, particularly drawn to English holly and ivy plants, and are frequent visitors to bird feeders.