Bare-eyed pigeon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bare-eyed pigeon |
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| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Columbiformes |
| Family: | Columbidae |
| Genus: | Patagioenas |
| Species: |
P. corensis
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| Binomial name | |
| Patagioenas corensis (Jacquin, 1784)
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| Synonyms | |
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Columba corensis Jacquin, 1784 |
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The bare-eyed pigeon (Patagioenas corensis) is a cool bird that belongs to the Columbidae family. This family includes all kinds of pigeons and doves. You can find this special pigeon living in countries like Colombia and Venezuela. It also lives on some islands in the Netherlands Antilles. It's known for the bare skin around its eyes, which gives it its name!
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About the Bare-Eyed Pigeon's Family Tree
Scientists study how different birds are related to each other. They look at things like how birds look or sound. Some scientists think the bare-eyed pigeon is closely related to other pigeons. These include the picazuro pigeon, spot-winged pigeon, and scaled pigeon. However, others disagree because their songs are very different.
What Does the Bare-Eyed Pigeon Look Like?
Bare-eyed pigeons are medium-sized birds. Male pigeons are usually about 32 to 37 centimeters (12.6 to 14.6 inches) long. Females are a bit smaller, around 30 to 34.5 centimeters (11.8 to 13.6 inches) long. They weigh about 274 grams (9.7 ounces).
Both male and female bare-eyed pigeons look very similar. Their head, neck, and chest are a pretty mauve-pink color. They have orange-brown eyes. Around their eyes, there is bare skin with a thin blue ring. Outside that, there's a wider reddish-brown area.
Their neck and upper back look scaly. This is because of bronze-black and pale brown feathers. The lower back and rump are a light bluish-gray. Their chin and belly area are white. When their wings are closed, you can see a wide white patch. Young bare-eyed pigeons look like adults, but their colors are lighter.
Where Do Bare-Eyed Pigeons Live?
You can find the bare-eyed pigeon along the Caribbean coasts of Colombia and Venezuela. They also live on nearby islands. These islands include Aruba, Curaçao, Bonaire, Margarita, and Blanquilla.
These pigeons mostly live in dry places. They like areas with thorny bushes, cacti, and acacia trees. You might also find them in mangrove forests or on farms. On the mainland, they can live up to 400 meters (1,300 feet) above sea level. However, they usually prefer lower areas.
How Do Bare-Eyed Pigeons Behave?
What Do Bare-Eyed Pigeons Eat?
Bare-eyed pigeons find most of their food in trees and bushes. But they also look for food on the ground. Their diet includes seeds and fruits. They eat seeds and fruits from trees, climbing plants, and even farm crops.
How Do Bare-Eyed Pigeons Raise Their Young?
The bare-eyed pigeon's breeding season seems to start when it rains. They build a simple nest. It's a fragile platform made of twigs in a tree or a bush. The nest is so thin that you can sometimes see their single egg right through it from below!
What Does the Bare-Eyed Pigeon Sound Like?
The bare-eyed pigeon has a special song. It's a rhythmic series of cooing sounds. It sounds like "rwhoh...woh-hu-whOAh...woh-hu-whOAh..woh-hu-whOAh..."
Is the Bare-Eyed Pigeon in Danger?
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) checks on animals around the world. They have said the bare-eyed pigeon is of "Least Concern." This means it's not currently in danger of disappearing. People do hunt them, which makes them shy. But overall, their numbers seem to be stable.
 | John T. Biggers |
 | Thomas Blackshear |
 | Mark Bradford |
 | Beverly Buchanan |
