Breeding Location:
Forests, coniferous, Mountains
Breeding Type:
Monogamous
Breeding Population:
Uncommon to fairly common
Egg Color:
White
Number of Eggs:
1 - 2
Incubation Days:
18 - 20
Egg Incubator:
Both sexes
Nest Material:
Flimsy platform of twigs.
Migration:
Migratory
Recommended Products:
General
Band-tailed Pigeon: Large dove with small, purple-gray head and a broad neck with distinctive, thin white band on nape. Back and wings are purple-gray and underparts grade from purple-gray neck and breast to white belly. Tail is pale gray with dark band at base. Bill and feet are yellow. Sexes are similar. Juvenile lacks white neck band.
Range and Habitat
Band-tailed Pigeon: Mainly found in the western Americas, the Southwest and Canada. Occurs as far north as British Columbia, and extends south to Argentina. Preferred habitats include coniferous and mixed forests.
Breeding and Nesting
Band-tailed Pigeon: Lays one or two white eggs in a flimsy platform nest made of sticks and twigs, lined with pine needles, and built in a tree. Incubation ranges from 18 to 20 days and is carried out by both parents. Young fledge 25 to 27 days later; may have two or three broods each year.
Foraging and Feeding
Band-tailed Pigeon: Eats nuts, seeds, berries, blossoms, and insects; also feeds on crops such as cherries, berries, oats, barley, and wheat; forages on the ground.
Readily Eats
Cracked Corn, Sunflower Seed, Nuts, Milo
Vocalization
Band-tailed Pigeon: Song is an owl-like, deep, and hollow "whoo-whoo-who."
Similar Species
Band-tailed Pigeon: Rock Pigeon lacks white band on back of neck.
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