Bird Guide

Spot-winged Pigeon vs White-crowned Pigeon

Spot-winged Pigeon (Patagioenas maculosa)

Spot-winged Pigeon

Patagioenas maculosa

Large347 gWoodland

The two subspecies of spot-winged pigeon differ significantly in their plumage. The nominate P. m. maculosa is 32 to 33 cm (13 to 13 in) long and weighs 308 to 347 g (10.9 to 12.2 oz). The adult male's forehead, crown, nape, hindneck, and breast are mostly dull purplish pink and the rest of the head and underparts are gray. The upper back and wing coverts are dark brown and show creamy white spots. The wings are mostly black above and pale gray below. The lower back and rump are bluish gray and the tail dark gray. The adult female is similar but the head and neck are generally duller. Voice: P. m. maculosa's song is "a rhythmic series of very hoarse-sounding coos...'cuuuuu uh-cuh-cuuuh...' repeated two or three times. Its call is "a repeated growling 'grwhoh'". P. m. albipennis's song is "a gruff 'rrrrrow grr-g’RRRR grr-g’RRRR grr-g’RRRR'" and its call a "short 'corw'".

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Ezequiel Vera · CC BY 4.0
White-crowned Pigeon (Patagioenas leucocephala)

White-crowned Pigeon

Patagioenas leucocephala

Medium240 gWoodland

The white-crowned pigeon can measure 29–35 cm (11–14 in) in length, span 48–59 cm (19–23 in) across the wings, and weigh 150–301 g (5.3–10.6 oz). It is around the same size as the common rock pigeon, but weighs a bit less since it is generally less chunky and has a relatively longer and more square tail. Adult birds' plumage varies from a slate gray to an almost-black color. Its iridescent collar-patch is notably only seen under good lighting, shining a barred white pattern with green.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Mike Brady · CC BY 4.0

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Spot-winged Pigeon and White-crowned Pigeon.