Pale-vented Pigeon
Patagioenas cayennensis
Large pigeon of marshy savannas, riversides, open areas with scattered trees, locally even in towns, such as Villahermosa, Mexico. Gray head contrasts with pinkish body, and whitish belly does not contrast strongly with plain grayish tail; compare darker Red-billed Pigeon, which often occurs in same areas but prefers drier and more forested habitats. Also note black bill of Pale-vented, and subtly distinctive song: after long introductory coo, repeated phrase is typically a 3-syllable "who’koo-koo", unlike 4-syllable "oo’koo-koo-koo" of Red-billed.
Identification
The pale-vented pigeon is 30–32 cm long and weighs normally 230–250 g. Adult males have a mainly dull purple head, breast and upperpart plumage, with copper glossing on the nape and a whitish throat. The lower back and tail are dark grey and the lower underparts are pale grey. The bill is black and the legs, iris and eyering are red. The female is similar, but duller than the male, and immatures are greyish-brown, very dull, and mainly greyish brown.<p>The southern subspecies P. c. andersoni has white lower underparts, rather than the pale grey of nominate P. c. cayennensis.<p>The call is a row of soft kuk kuk croo-ooos; the initial short kuk is characteristic for the "cayennensis group" of Patagioenas. Altogether, this species' song is intermediate between that of its close relatives the plain (P. inornata) and red-billed pigeons (P. flavirostris).<p>It may in the field resemble a scaled pigeon (P. speciosa), which has a similar display flight. These two large species are also the only pigeons in their range which are often seen flying in the open away from forests. But of course P. cayennensis lacks the scaly appearance, and the calls and appearance from close by indicate that the two are not particularly close relatives among their congeners.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Patagioenas cayennensis
- Authority
- (Bonnaterre, 1792)
- Order
- Columbiformes
- Family
- Columbidae
- Genus
- Patagioenas
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The pale-vented pigeon is common at forest edges, riverbanks, and other partially open areas with some trees. It feeds mainly on small fruits, berries and seed. This is a fairly solitary bird, but may form small flocks at drinking areas. Its flight is high, fast and direct, with the regular beats and an occasional sharp flick of the wings which are characteristic of pigeons in general.<p>It also has a breeding display with a semi-circular glide down to its original perch. It builds a small twig nest in a small tree, and normally lays one white egg.<p>Widespread and common, it is classified a species of least concern by the IUCN.
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Pavonine Cuckoo
Dromococcyx pavoninus
Bizarre looking cuckoo; small-headed with a very long, graduated tail. The head, neck and breast are rufous, but note the prominent rufous eyebrow. The white belly contrasts with the dark brown back, wings and tail, the latter with white tips. Found in lowland rainforest, forest edge, and second growth. Usually fiendishly hard to see. A brood parasite. The voice is a melodic, “puu-pe-pu-pepe” repeated endlessly day or night.
Graceful Prinia
Prinia gracilis
Tiny, disproportionately long-tailed, active, and vocal. The upperparts are gray-brown with heavy dark streaking, the underparts are pale, and each tail feather shows both pale and dark tips. Generally found in rather moist habitats within arid zones, including field margins, riparian woodland, scrub, gardens, and wetlands; can be quite numerous. Very vocal, especially in spring. The song is a long series of dry chirps with a very slight pause between notes, subtly different from the rattling song of Delicate Prinia. Males often sing from obvious perches. Visually extremely similar to Delicate Prinia, but there is little overlap in range. In any areas of overlap, best separated by song, but Graceful is also slightly shorter- and broader-tailed and grayer.
Scaly Babbler
Turdoides squamulata
A very dark babbler with pale scaling on the crown, throat, and breast and a yellow-orange eye. In the southern part of the range has a blackish ear patch, while in the north, can show a brown ear patch and a white chin, or else a completely white face. Found locally in coastal scrub, riparian thickets, and woodland with thick undergrowth. Almost always in small groups, which feed by hopping across the ground. More elusive and skulking than most babblers. Northern subspecies can be similar to White-rumped Babbler, but easily separated by the lack of a white rump. Usually located by the raspy babbling call, usually given by a whole group in chorus.
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