Short-billed pigeon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Short-billed pigeon |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Patagioenas
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| Species: |
nigrirostris
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| Synonyms | |
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Columba nigrirostris (protonym) |
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The short-billed pigeon (Patagioenas nigrirostris) is a type of pigeon. It lives in warm areas from southern Mexico all the way down to northwestern Colombia. This bird is part of a group of pigeons called Patagioenas.
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About the Short-billed Pigeon
This pigeon likes to live in forests where the trees are not too tall. You can also find it in woodlands that are a bit open. It builds a simple nest from twigs. These nests are usually high up in trees or among vines, about 5 to 30 meters off the ground. The female pigeon lays just one white egg at a time.
What Does It Look Like?
The short-billed pigeon is about 26.5 centimeters long. That's about the length of a ruler! It weighs around 150 grams, which is about as much as a small apple.
This pigeon is mostly a beautiful wine-purple color. Its belly is a bit browner, and its back is more olive-brown. Its tail and main flight feathers are blackish. The pigeon has a black beak and its legs and eyes are a pretty purple-red color.
- Males and Females: The female short-billed pigeon looks a little less bright and more brownish than the male.
- Young Birds: Baby pigeons, called juveniles, have a grayish-brown head, neck, and chest. They also have cinnamon-colored patterns on their head and upper body.
What Does It Sound Like?
The short-billed pigeon has a special call that is loud and high-pitched. It sounds like coo... cu-COO k’CO coohoo. This call is usually made one at a time, or with long breaks in between.
What Does It Eat?
You will usually see these pigeons in pairs. They look for food high up in the treetops. Their favorite foods include mistletoe, other fruits, and berries. Sometimes, you might even spot them on paths or roadsides. They go there to find small pieces of grit or tiny invertebrates (like insects) to help them digest their food.
Where Else Do They Live?
In the southern parts of Central America, you might find a very similar bird called the ruddy pigeon (Patagioenas subvinacea). This pigeon lives in higher places, like mountains. You can tell the short-billed pigeon and the ruddy pigeon apart by their calls. The short-billed pigeon has a slower and more complex "song."
