From Opus

Patagioenas flavirostris

Photo by gritstone
Photo taken: Centro Neotropico Sarapiquis, Costa Rica .

[edit] Identification

30 cm long and weighs 230 grams. It is mainly purple, with a brown back; its lower belly and flight feathers are blue-grey, while its tail is black. Its bill is white with a red base, and its eyes and ells are red. Juvenile birds are duller than adults and the plumage is more brown.

[edit] Distribution

North-western Mexico to southern Texas, and south to Costa Rica.

[edit] Taxonomy

Four subspecies are recognized, flavirostris, madrensis, minima, and restricta. Red-billed Pigeon has previously been placed in genus Columba.

[edit] Habitat

Open countryside with some trees. Also cultivation.

[edit] Behaviour

It builds its nest from twigs, in trees. It lays one white egg. It is a solitary bird, seldom forming flocks.

It is a ground feeder; diet includes berries, buds and acorns.

[edit] External Links