Chilean Pigeon
Patagioenas araucana
Only large native pigeon in its range. Locally fairly common in temperate rainforest, farmland with wooded patches, and matorral with taller trees. Feeds from treetops to ground, sometimes in roadside fields; often in flocks. Plumage dark overall with narrow white hindneck collar, bright red feet, and broad pale gray tip on tail. Compare with the variable Rock Pigeon, which is usually around people and most have white underwings in flight unlike the dark grayish underwings on Chilean Pigeon.
Identification
The Chilean pigeon is 35 to 37 cm (14 to 15 in) long and weighs 220 to 340 g (7.8 to 12.0 oz). The adult male is mostly reddish purple. Its nape is iridescent green with a narrow white line across its top. Its lower back, rump, and tail are gray; the tail has a broad black band across its middle. The wings are gray to black. The orange eye is surrounded by a narrow pink or yellow ring and bare purple skin. Adult females are duller and browner than the males and juveniles are overall shades of gray.
Taxonomy
The Chilean pigeon is monotypic. It, ring-tailed pigeon (Patagioenas caribaea), and band-tailed pigeon (P. fasciata) may form a superspecies.
- Scientific name
- Patagioenas araucana
- Authority
- (Lesson, RP & Garnot, 1827)
- Order
- Columbiformes
- Family
- Columbidae
- Genus
- Patagioenas
Range and habitat
The Chilean pigeon is found in its namesake country from the Coquimbo Region south to the Aysén Region and in Argentina immediately adjoining the southern half of its Chilean range. In much of its range it inhabits southern temperate forests, with an affinity for those dominated by Araucaria and Nothofagus. It is found in dryer forest in the northern part of its range, and is also known to forage in open habitats near forests.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: rising.
- Population trend
- rising
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Tahiti Reed Warbler
Acrocephalus caffer
A large, slender warbler with a disproportionately long bill, short wings, and a long tail. Face and eyebrow yellowish-buff with a dark eye-stripe and a pale throat. Upper body and wings mostly dark with pale edges to feathers, giving a messy mottled appearance. Some birds are much paler, often almost entirely white with some mottling. An entirely dark sooty morph occurs. Found in riverine and hillside forest with stands of bamboo up to 600 meters of elevation. Song is a long, slow sequence of warbled phrases and “churr” notes. Calls include harsh churring and “tchak” notes.
African Thrush
Turdus pelios
This widespread thrush shows a large amount of geographical variation. The upperparts are generally gray-brown, while the underparts can be buff, gray, or rufous. All across the range, shows a yellow bill. Found in a range of habitats, including forest edge, woodland, gardens, and cultivation. In areas without Abyssinian Thrush, also occurs in montane forest. The song is a pretty, variable series of chatty whistles and trills which can continue for a long time without a pause. Similar to Abyssinian Thrush, but found at lower elevations in areas of overlap, and is generally paler, with a paler yellow bill.
Streaked Xenops
Xenops rutilans
Small brown bird with large distribution from Costa Rica to Argentina. Rufous-brown overall with whitish eyebrow and a white stripe on the side of the face. Extensive streaking on crown and underparts separates from Plain Xenops. Compare with Slender-billed Xenops, which occurs primarily in lowland Amazonian forests where Streaked does not and is not as boldly streaked. Usually found singly or in pairs following a mixed-species flock. Occurs in mature forests and edges, from the understory to the canopy, but most often at middle levels. Can be found from the lowlands up to around 2,500 m.
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