Red-billed Pigeon
Patagioenas flavirostris
The Red-billed Pigeon (Patagioenas flavirostris) is a common doves and pigeon found in 9 countries, weighing about 271 g. The red-billed pigeon is a relatively large, robust species of pigeon.
About the Red-billed Pigeon
The red-billed pigeon is a relatively large, robust species of pigeon. Its breeding range extends from southern Texas, United States, to Costa Rica. It is primarily found throughout coastal and lowland areas of Mexico and Central America. It belongs to a clade of Patagioenas which generally lack iridescent display plumage, except some vestiges in the pale-vented pigeon.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
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.
Where it lives
When to see it
The Red-billed Pigeon can be seen all year round, with peak activity in March. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Red-billed Pigeon?
- Red-billed pigeons have largely dark, slate-gray plumage with a more maroon, though sometimes described as purple, head, neck, and wing coverts. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Red-billed Pigeon?
- The Red-billed Pigeon is a medium sized bird weighing about 271 g.
- Where can you see a Red-billed Pigeon?
- The Red-billed Pigeon occurs in 9 countries, including Costa Rica, Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and Nicaragua.
- What birds look similar to a Red-billed Pigeon?
- The Red-billed Pigeon is most easily confused with the Pale-vented Pigeon, the Spot-winged Pigeon and the Short-billed Pigeon.
- Is the Red-billed Pigeon endangered?
- The Red-billed Pigeon is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
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