Snow pigeon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Snow pigeon |
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| Snow pigeon from Sikkim, India. | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Columba
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| Species: |
leuconota
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The snow pigeon (Columba leuconota) is a cool bird that lives in the high, rocky mountains of central Asia. These pigeons are mostly grey, black, pale brown, and white. You can find them in places like the Himalayas and Tibet.
Snow pigeons usually search for food in open areas. They often fly in pairs or small groups. Their diet includes grains, buds, shoots, berries, and seeds. At night, they rest on cliffs. When it's time to have babies, they build messy nests in rock cracks. They usually lay two white eggs. Good news! Experts say these birds are not in danger of disappearing.
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What Does a Snow Pigeon Look Like?
Snow pigeons have a dark, almost black head. This color stands out against their bright white neck and chest. Their belly is also white, fading to a soft grey.
Their backs are brownish-grey. They have a clear white patch on their lower back. Their wings are light grey with three brown stripes. The tail is black with a white band in the middle. This white band curves forward towards the tail tips.
Young snow pigeons look a bit different. Their upper parts and wings have narrow, pale edges on their feathers. The white parts of their underside might look a bit dull or yellowish.
Where Do Snow Pigeons Live?
Snow pigeons live in rocky, hilly areas. They are found in many countries across Asia. These include Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan.
These birds are quite common. They live across a very large area. Because there are so many of them, their numbers seem to be steady. This is why experts say they are not a species of concern.
How Snow Pigeons Behave
Snow pigeons love rocky hillsides and quiet valleys. You can see them even up to the snow line! During the day, they often fly down to fields to find food. But they always return to the cliffs to sleep at night. They are usually quite shy and careful.
In winter, you might see large groups of 150 or more snow pigeons. They sometimes hang out with other birds like hill pigeons or rock doves.
Reproduction and Nests
In the summer, snow pigeons move to lower areas. They are often seen in pairs or small groups. They like to nest together in colonies.
Their nests are built in cracks or caves on cliff faces. They also use ledges on rocks. Snow pigeon nests are a bit messy. They are made from sticks, grass, straw, and feathers. These birds often use the same nest year after year. They just fix it up a little bit. Usually, two eggs are laid in each nest.
What Snow Pigeons Eat
Snow pigeons have a varied diet. They eat different kinds of berries and grains. They also enjoy buds, bulbs, seeds, and young plant shoots.
