Scaly-naped

 Scaly-naped Pigeon

 Columba squamosa

Photographed in the wild, St Thomas USVI       Mar 2015

The Scaly-naped is a large pigeon (13-15") that inhabits all the West Indies except the Bahamas. It appears gray or dark at a distance, but the head is wine colored and it has these distinctive ruffles on the nape of the neck. The sexes are similar but the eye ring is reddish in males and yellowish in females. 

The Scaly-Naped pigeon feeds in trees on fruits, seeds, leaf buds and snails. Although large, it manages to hide in trees and is typically seen flying in the distance or when it is perched on a far-away tree limb. Its song is a slow series of four notes, with the last note prolonged: who-hoo-hoo-hoooo 

The nest is a loose, stick platform constructed on a tree limb, or occasionally on the ground. The female lays 1 or 2 glossy, white eggs which incubate in 14 to 15 days. The young fledge in 18 to 22 days. 

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Rock Pigeon

Pigeon (Rock Dove)

 (Zenaidamacroura)

Photographed in the wild, Toronto, ON           Apr 2007

A common sight in urban areas throughout the world, the Rock Pigeon was introduced into North America in the early 1600s. City buildings and their window ledges mimic the rocky cliffs used by wild pigeons.

There may be as many as 28 pigeon color types, called "morphs. Pigeons also have colourful neck feathers. These iridescent green, yellow, and purple feathers are called "hackle." Adult males and females look alike, but a male’s hackle is more iridescent than a female’s. 

People raise all kinds of fancy pigeons. The breeds have names, such as rollers, tumblers, and fantails, which reflect the way the birds fly or the way they look. Sometimes, people take their fancy pigeons to compete in shows.

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Nicobar

 Nicobar Pigeon

Caloenasni cobarica

Photographed at Discovery Cove, Orlando, FL          Mar 2011

The Nicobar Pigeon is found on the Nicobar Islands in India. The Nicobar pigeon is one of the most beautiful of the many species of pigeons or doves. Like all pigeons, the Nicobar pigeon is rather thick-set with a relatively small head, but is heavier than most pigeons the same size. It is not a very vocal species, giving a low-pitched repetitive call.

A large pigeon can be up to 40 cm in length. The head is grey like the upper neck plumage, which turns into green and copper feathers towards the breast. The breast and flight feathers are dark grey. The tail is very short and pure white. The rest of its plumage is metallic green. The pigeon has strong legs with dull red toes.

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Pied Imperial

Pigeon (Nicobar)

 Caloenasni cobarica

Photographed at Discovery Cove, Orlando, FL          Mar 2011

The Nicobar Pigeon is found on the Nicobar Islands in India. The Nicobar pigeon is one of the most beautiful of the many species of pigeons or doves. Like all pigeons, the Nicobar pigeon is rather thick-set with a relatively small head, but is heavier than most pigeons the same size. It is not a very vocal species, giving a low-pitched repetitive call.

A large pigeon can be up to 40 cm in length. The head is grey like the upper neck plumage, which turns into green and copper feathers towards the breast. The breast and flight feathers are dark grey. The tail is very short and pure white. The rest of its plumage is metallic green. The pigeon has strong legs with dull red toes.

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Green Imperial

Pigeon (Green Imperial)

 Duculaaenea

Photographed at Discovery Cove, Orlando, FL          Mar 2011

The Green Imperial Pigeon is a widespread resident breeding bird in tropical southern Asia from India east to Indonesia.

This is a forest species; it builds a stick nest in a tree and lays a single white egg. Its flight is fast and direct, with the regular beats and an occasional sharp flick of the wings which are characteristic of pigeons in general.

Green Imperial Pigeon is a large plump pigeon, 45 cm in length. Its back, wings and tail are metallic green. The head and under parts are white, apart from maroon under tail coverts. Sexes are similar.

This is an arboreal dove, feeding on plant material in the tree canopy. They are not very outgoing, but will form small flocks. The bird's call is deep and echoing, and is often the first indication of the presence of this treetop species.

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Whited Crowned

 White Crowned Pigeon

Patagioenas leucocephala

Photographed at

Ardastra Zoo, Nassau Bahama     Dec  2012

Runaway Bay Jamaica           Nov 2015

A resident of islands and coastlines in the Caribbean, the White-crowned Pigeon reaches the northern limits of its range in south Florida. It feeds almost entirely on fruits of hardwood trees. May hang upside down to pick fruit and appears to prefer ripe fruits.

The White-crowned Pigeon nests and forages in two distinct habitats: islands and forests supporting fruiting trees. Daily flights between the two habitats are sometimes longer than 30 miles (50 km).

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Victorian Crownd

Pigeon (Victoria crowned)

 Goura victoria 

Photographed at Bird Kingdom, Niagara Canada      Feb 2012

Victoria Crowned Pigeons are the largest living pigeons, reaching lengths of between 28 and 30 inches from head to tail.

The Victoria Crowned Pigeon is very similar to the other Crowned Pigeons, but the barbs at the end of the crest feathers are only slightly separated and spatula-shaped. These dark blue crest feathers are broadly tipped with white. The general coloration is dark grayish blue. The breast is dark purplish red and the wing patch is pale grayish blue.

Victoria Crowned Pigeons to live up to 25 years in captivity and are known to be intelligent and quite easy to tame. Being docile by nature, they generally tolerate birds of other species quite well.

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Blue Crowned

 Blue Crowned Pigeon

 (Gallicolumbaluzonica)

Photographed at Reid Zoo, Tucson, AZ        Mar 2010

Native to New Guinea and are found from sea level up to 600 meters in elevation. The blue-crowned pigeon is the largest species of pigeon in the world and it is also one of the most beautiful.  These lovely blue-grey birds approach the size of a small turkey.

With alluring blue feathers and a deep purple patch across the shoulders, males and females look similar.  Males are often larger than females.  The finishing touches to this bird are the mask of dark blue feathers extending from the slender bill through the red eye, and the fan-like crest of lacy light blue feathers on top of the small head

Groups of two to ten birds forage on the forest floor and flush into the tree tops when alarmed.

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