Band Tailed Pigeon

Band tailed Pigeon

Large dove, small, purple-gray head and broad neck with characteristic, thin white band on nape. Back and wings are purple-gray, underparts is from purple-gray neck and breast to white belly. Tail is pale gray, dark band at base. Bill, legs, feet is yellow. Rapid direct flight.
Largely found in the western Americas, the Southwest and Canada. Occurs as far north as British Columbia, and broaden out from south to Argentina. Favorite habitats include coniferous and mixed forests.

Interesting Facts

The Band-tailed Pigeon is the prevalent in North America.
The parasitic louse Columbicola extinctus, thought to have become extinct with the disappearance of the Passenger Pigeon, was recently discovered again in the Band-tailed Pigeon.