People usually look up band-tailed pigeons when they’ve spotted a big, long-tailed “pigeon” in forest country and want to know what it is—then quickly work out whether it’s rare, protected, or likely to turn up around gardens and birdbaths.
The band-tailed pigeon (Patagioenas fasciata) is a native pigeon of the Americas, built for wooded landscapes rather than city streets. It can gather in sizeable flocks, travels seasonally in parts of its range, and is sensitive to habitat change and disease—so accurate identification and context matters.1, 2
Quick identification
Band-tailed pigeons are large, stocky pigeons with a long, rounded tail and thick-based, pointed wings. At close range, look for a thin pale collar on the nape, yellow bill with a darker tip, and yellow legs and feet.1, 3
- Length: about 33–40 cm1
- Weight: about 342–364 g1
- Tail pattern: broad pale band towards the tail tip, most obvious in flight3
Where they live (habitat and range)
In North America, band-tailed pigeons have two main breeding regions: wet forests along the Pacific coast (from southeastern Alaska down to California) and drier mountain forests in the south-western United States, extending south through Mexico and Central America.2
Along the Pacific, they use conifer forests for nesting and nearby fruiting shrubs and broadleaf trees for feeding. In the interior south-west, they favour mixed pine–oak forests with berry-producing shrubs, often at higher elevations.2
Seasonal movement varies by region. Many birds breeding in south-western British Columbia move south to overwinter (often into Oregon and California), while some populations are more resident farther south.4
Diet: built around mast and fruit
Band-tailed pigeons mainly eat seeds and fruit, with acorns often becoming important when available. Their diet shifts through the year depending on what’s ripening or dropping—berries in one season, acorn mast in another, and buds and flowers at times.5, 6
Behaviour: flocks, fast flight, quiet routines
They’re gregarious and commonly seen in flocks, sometimes numbering a few hundred birds. In flight they can look purposeful and direct, moving between feeding areas and forest cover with quick wingbeats.2
During breeding, much of the activity stays high in the canopy. Courtship and nest-building are typically tree-based, and pairs may nest loosely near one another rather than as tight colonies.2, 5
Breeding: low output, repeated attempts
Band-tailed pigeons usually lay a single white egg, though two can occur. Both parents share incubation and feeding of the chick (including “pigeon milk”). In good conditions they may attempt more than one brood in a season, but overall reproduction is slow compared with many other birds.2, 5
Conservation status and what threatens them
Globally, the band-tailed pigeon is listed as Least Concern. That broad category can hide regional problems: some well-studied populations—particularly along the Pacific coast—have shown long-term declines over decades.2, 7
Key pressures include:
- Habitat change that reduces fruit- and nut-producing shrubs and hardwoods they rely on for feeding, even when nesting trees remain.6
- Low reproductive rate, which makes recovery slower after poor years or heavy losses.6
- Disease, especially avian trichomonosis (caused by Trichomonas gallinae), which can spread at shared water sources and cause severe throat lesions that lead to starvation or suffocation.8, 9
- Hunting in parts of their range, managed under migratory bird frameworks and local regulations that can change year to year.2, 10
Living near people: practical ways to reduce harm
Band-tailed pigeons can turn up in suburbs and rural towns—often drawn to berrying trees, bird feeders, or reliable water. If you’re seeing sick birds, or sudden deaths, disease control matters more than feeding.8
- If multiple birds appear unwell, remove feeders and bird baths temporarily and empty standing water features used by birds.8
- Keep water sources clean when birds are present, and avoid creating crowded “hotspots” where many birds drink in a small space.8
- Plant or protect fruiting and mast-producing natives (where appropriate for your region) to support natural foraging rather than dependence on handouts.2, 6
Frequently corrected misconceptions
- “They’re mountain birds only.” Some populations breed in higher, drier mountain forests, but Pacific birds also use lowland coastal forests and edges.2
- “They always lay two eggs.” Most nesting attempts involve a single egg; two is possible but less typical.2, 5
- “Their population is stable everywhere.” The global category is Least Concern, but long-term declines have been documented in parts of the range, especially the Pacific coast population in the United States.2, 6
References
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology (All About Birds) — Band-tailed Pigeon: Identification
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology (All About Birds) — Band-tailed Pigeon: Life History
- Government of Canada — COSEWIC assessment and status report: Band-tailed Pigeon (2021)
- Government of Canada — COSEWIC assessment and status report: Band-tailed Pigeon (2008)
- National Audubon Society — Band-tailed Pigeon (Field Guide)
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife — Band-tailed Pigeon (species information)
- National Geographic — Band-tailed Pigeon facts
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife — Avian parasite responsible for band-tailed pigeon deaths (avian trichomonosis)
- U.S. Geological Survey (National Wildlife Health Center) — Trichomonosis overview case example and background
- U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service — Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations (framework and annual process)
Veterinary Advisor, Veterinarian London Area, United Kingdom