Pale-vented pigeon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pale-vented pigeon |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Patagioenas
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| Species: |
cayennensis
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| Synonyms | |
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Columba cayennensis Bonnaterre, 1792 |
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The pale-vented pigeon (Patagioenas cayennensis) is a large pigeon. It belongs to the Columbidae family, which includes all pigeons and doves. You can find this bird in the warm, sunny parts of the Americas. This includes places from southern Mexico all the way down to Bolivia and northern Argentina. It also lives on the islands of Tobago and Trinidad.
This pigeon used to be grouped with other pigeons in the Columba family. But now scientists know it's part of an older group called Patagioenas. This group of pigeons lives only in the New World (North and South America). Pale-vented pigeons are mostly grey. Unlike some other birds, the males usually don't have super shiny, colorful feathers. However, this pigeon does have a cool coppery shine on its neck!
What Does It Look Like?
The pale-vented pigeon is about 30–32 cm long. That's about the length of a ruler! It usually weighs around 230–250 grams.
Adult male pigeons have a dull purple head and chest. Their upper body is also purple. Their neck has a pretty coppery shine. The throat is whitish. Their lower back and tail are dark grey. The lower part of their belly is a light grey. This pigeon has a black beak. Its legs, eyes, and the skin around its eyes are red.
Female pigeons look a lot like the males. But their colors are not as bright. Young pigeons are mostly greyish-brown. They look very dull compared to the adults.
There is a type of pale-vented pigeon in the south called P. c. andersoni. This type has white lower parts instead of the pale grey.
The pale-vented pigeon has a special call. It sounds like soft kuk kuk croo-ooos. The short kuk sound at the start is unique to this group of pigeons.
Sometimes, this pigeon might look like a scaled pigeon (P. speciosa). Both birds fly high and fast in open areas. But the pale-vented pigeon doesn't have the "scaly" look of the scaled pigeon. Their calls are also different.
Life of a Pale-Vented Pigeon
You can often find pale-vented pigeons at the edges of forests. They also like riverbanks and other open areas with some trees. These birds mainly eat small fruits, berries, and seeds.
This pigeon usually likes to be alone. But sometimes, you might see small groups gathering to drink water. When it flies, it goes high, fast, and straight. Like most pigeons, it flaps its wings steadily. Sometimes it gives a quick flick of its wings.
When it's time to find a mate, the male pigeon does a special flight. It glides in a half-circle down to its perch. The pigeon builds a small nest using twigs in a small tree. It usually lays one white egg.
The pale-vented pigeon is common and found in many places. Because of this, scientists say it is a species of "least concern." This means it is not in danger of disappearing.
