Red-billed Pigeon
Patagioenas flavirostris
Large dark pigeon. Body and wings mostly bluish-gray with maroon-colored neck and shoulders. Note red bill with pale yellowish tip. Immature paler grayish without maroon tones. Common from Mexico to Costa Rica, mainly in lowlands and foothills. Barely enters the U.S. in Rio Grande Valley of south Texas. Typically seen in pairs or small flocks, often perched conspicuously in a variety of habitats, including open forests, patchy farmland, and mangroves. Tends to be fairly shy. Separated from other pigeons in Middle America by large size, bill pattern, and dark tail and undertail coverts. Listen for low cooing song: “whoo, whoop-a-whoo.”
Identification
Red-billed pigeons have largely dark, slate-gray plumage with a more maroon, though sometimes described as purple, head, neck, and wing coverts. They have pale red eyes with an orange orbital ring, along with a red bill with a yellow tip. Noticeably, they don't have iridescent collar plumage. A blue-gray belly and tail coverts, as well as a less brown back, distinguish it from most other species., such as the Ruddy Pigeon and Short-billed Pigeon. The only noticeable difference between males and females is that the females have a duller colored head and neck. Juveniles are often even more dull in color and have dark and dusky shoulders, as well as a more brown mantle and wings.<p>Compared to other birds, they are a more mid-to-large sized bird, growing to be between 30 and 37 cm (12-15 in.) in length and a weight of 230–425 g (8.1–15.0 oz).<p>Red-billed pigeons have a very distinctive call, described to be a long, high-pitched call consisting of a coooo followed by three cuk-c'-c'-coo notes. It follows an ascending sound. When taking off, the birds' wings create a noticeable clapping noise.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Patagioenas flavirostris
- Authority
- (Wagler, 1831)
- Order
- Columbiformes
- Family
- Columbidae
- Genus
- Patagioenas
Range and habitat
Red-billed pigeons are common throughout dry forests in primarily coastal Mexico and Central America, most common in Rio Grande, though still an uncommon find during summertime. They can sometimes be found in Southern Texas, with a declining population. In almost all areas, they are rare to see during the winter.<p>Red-tailed pigeons have four reported subspecies:<p>Habitat can vary. Red-billed pigeons are most notably in dry woods and along riverside wetland areas.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Golden Bowerbird
Prionodura newtoniana
Small bowerbird restricted to higher-elevation rainforest in Northern Queensland. Male has stunning bright yellow underparts, yellowish-brown face, and dull yellowish back. Female olive brown above, gray below. Breeding male builds a large tower of sticks and decorates it with flowers and lichen, often reusing the same bower for many nesting seasons. Male’s song includes a wide repertoire of notes and sounds, many of which sound as though they were made by a machine.
African Desert Warbler
Curruca deserti
Very small Sylvia warbler of sandy desert with scattered low shrubs. Plumage is a pale warm buff-brown overall; warmer than the closely-related Asian Desert Warbler that has more prominently-patterned tertials. Note the deep rusty-colored tail, yellow eyes, and yellowish legs. Often forages on the ground, sometimes following wheatears. Song a short sequence of rattles and a flutey note. Call a low "trrrrr."
American Robin
Turdus migratorius
Fairly large songbird with round body, long legs, and longish tail. Gray above with warm orange underparts and blackish head. Hops across lawns and stands erect with its bill often tilted upward. In fall and winter, forms large flocks and gathers in trees to roost or eat berries. Common across North America in gardens, parks, yards, golf courses, fields, pastures, and many other wooded habitats.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.