Plumbeous Pigeon
Patagioenas plumbea
Large dark pigeon of forest interior. Overall purplish-gray, slightly darker and browner on wings. Pale eye. Sexes alike. Note plainer appearance and longer tail than many other doves and pigeons. Most similar to Ruddy Pigeon but plumage grayer (not reddish) and eye paler. Usually quite secretive, staying in the canopy where singles or pairs feed on fruits. Found from lowlands into subtropical zone, up to 2,300 m (7,500 ft). More often heard than seen; listen for the cooing “who-cooks-for-you” song with the last two notes drawn out.
Identification
The plumbeous pigeon is 34 cm (13 in) long and weighs 172 to 231 g (6.1 to 8.1 oz). Males have a dark gray head, neck, and underparts that sometimes have a pinkish or purplish tinge. The shoulders, back, rump, wings, and tail are dark grayish brown to drab olive. The hindneck sometimes has bronzy spots. The eye is red and surrounded by bare purplish red skin. The female's purplish wash is less intense and the neck spots more intense than the male's. Juveniles are duller than the adults, with very little purplish wash, and some feathers have rusty edges. The subspecies differ mostly in the amount and intensity of the pink or purple on the upperparts. Visually the plumbeous pigeon can be confused with the ruddy pigeon (P. subvinacea) where their ranges overlap, but their vocalizations are very different.
Taxonomy
The plumbeous pigeon is most closely related to the ruddy pigeon (P. subvinacea), short-billed pigeon (P. nigrirostris), and dusky pigeon (P. goodsoni), and they have sometimes been placed in subgenus Oenoenas. These six subspecies are recognized:<p>Vocal differences among and even within the subspecies hint that more than one species may be involved.
- Scientific name
- Patagioenas plumbea
- Authority
- (Vieillot, 1818)
- Order
- Columbiformes
- Family
- Columbidae
- Genus
- Patagioenas
Range and habitat
The subspecies of plumbeous pigeon are found thus:<p>The plumbeous pigeon inhabits tropical and subtropical rainforest and cloudforest, both primary and secondary. North of the Rio Orinoco it is found between 1,200 and 1,900 m (3,900 and 6,200 ft) of elevation but south of there only between 200 and 300 m (660 and 980 ft). In southeastern Brazil it makes seasonal altitudinal migrations.
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Behavior
The plumbeous pigeon forages in the forest canopy for fruit and seeds. In Brazil it feeds heavily on mistletoe drupes at some times of the year.<p>The plumbeous pigeon's breeding phenology has not been studied.<p>The general pattern of the plumbeous pigeon's song is "a repeated rhythmic phrase of 2–5 coos" and the call is "a purring, drawn-out, slightly overslurred 'rrrrrow'." There are at least five distinct vocal groups whose songs are variations on the general pattern.
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Two-banded Puffbird
Hypnelus bicinctus
Bulky, thick-billed bird of dry and semi-humid forest and scrub, mainly east of the Andes. Plumage is quite striking with white face patch, tan throat, and multiple bands on the underparts. Similar to Russet-throated Puffbird, which is mostly found west and north of the Andes, but always shows two or three bands (not just one), with the upper band wrapping around the throat. Often found in pairs that sit in the open on large branches, fences, and other conspicuous perches before sallying out after a wide variety of prey. Song is a long series of whistles or clucks. Male and female may sing together in a noisy, chaotic duet. Formerly considered a subspecies group of Russet-throated Puffbird.
Collared Imperial-Pigeon
Ducula mullerii
The large, nomadic pigeon of mangroves and riverine forests. Note the distinctive, full black collar that narrows at the front and meets the maroon back. Black tail with white band across. Small flocks often seen in flight or perched up on exposed branches. Unmistakable when seen perched, but in flight similar to Pinon’s Imperial-Pigeon. Collared Imperial-Pigeon is much more likely in mangroves. Call, a deep, muffled “woo-oo pooo” with the first 2-note call falling and the last, lower in pitch.
Southern Lapwing
Vanellus chilensis
Raucous, conspicuous shorebird. Distinctive color pattern with black breast, white belly, gray head, and bronzy shoulder. Wings boldly patterned in flight. Often in pairs or small flocks in open habitats, usually near water but also in dry pastures. Loud grating call is a good clue to its presence.
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