The band-tailed pigeon is native to western North America and is usually described as the largest pigeon north of Mexico. It is one of the closest living relatives of the extinct passenger pigeon. Heavy hunting once reduced its numbers sharply, but legal protection and hunting limits helped the population recover, and it is now a common sight in the mountains of many states.
Band-Tailed Pigeon Origin & Habitat
Native to North America, specifically the western portion, band-tailed pigeons have two subspecies, the Pacific Coast subspecies and the Interior or Four Corners subspecies.
- The Pacific coast pigeons can be found in Oregon, California, Nevada, Alaska, Washington and British Columbia. These birds are often found in wet coastal forests at fairly low elevations.
- The Four Corners pigeons make their home in Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. They are typically found in elevations between 5,000 and 10,000 feet.
Many birds move south in the fall; some Pacific birds winter in California, and Interior birds go on to Mexico.
They can usually be found in mountain forests of coniferous trees and those that produce fruit for food.
The Decline and Recovery of the Band-Tailed Pigeon
History reports that millions of band-tails used to inhabit the mountains of North America.
Now, according to Partners in Flight, there are a few million, although numbers have fallen in recent decades.
Unprotected by any laws, the birds were shot in great numbers in the early 1900s.
The band-tails were seen as pests to agriculture and were also hunted for their meat, which some say is tastier than other types of pigeon meat.
There was public outrage when it was released how many were being slaughtered with concern that the band-tail might go the way of the passenger pigeon and become extinct.
The band tail was placed under federal protection.
Although hunting had resumed again by the mid-20th century, Washington regulators decreed closed hunting seasons for the years 1991-2001 enabling recovery from the over-hunting.
These days, hunting happens in California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah although the number of birds shot varies from year to year and seasons have bag limits.
The pigeons also face a challenge as their habitats are reduced through deforestation in parts of their range.
Hunters regard it as a difficult game bird.
They are elusive and challenging to find and fly fast.
Band-tailed pigeons are alert, and a flock will have lookouts posted in the tops of trees.
They have excellent eyesight and are fast fliers.
Band-Tail Characteristics
Band-tails are stocky, with small heads, pointed wings and long, rounded tails.
As one of the largest pigeons in North America, the band-tailed pigeon reaches a size of 13 to 16 inches long and a weight of between 8 and 18 ounces, on average.
The band-tailed pigeon’s call is two syllables and is often compared to an owl’s, both in sound and volume.
Sometimes it will make a loud, squawking sound, though there isn’t a known reason for this.
It also features a tail band and iridescent feathers on its neck and plumage.
Also Read: Eurasian Collared Dove: Breed Guide
Coloring
Juvenile band-tailed pigeons are grey in colour.
Like some other species of pigeons, adult males and females look alike.
They are mostly grey, with a lighter tail, featuring a darker distinctive band that gives them their name.
They have a red eye ring and a white collar around their neck, with a crescent-shaped patch of shiny green/bronze feathers beneath it.
Adults also boast a mauve colour on their chests and bellies.
Wings are plainly coloured but have black wingtips that can be seen while they are in flight.
Unusually, the band tail has yellow legs and feet and also a black-tipped yellow beak.
Diet
Like many other birds, band-tailed pigeons subsist on a diet of plant matter.
That includes things like nuts, seeds and berries.
Toyon berries are one of this bird’s favourites, but they also like blackberries, cherries and elderberries.
They will also eat buds and flowers.
At some times of year, band-tailed pigeons gather at mineral springs to eat the salts.
As summer ends, they tend to eat a lot more fruit, likely in preparation for colder weather and for the energy to migrate south when the time comes.
Behaviour
Similar to a variety of other birds, band-tailed pigeons are foragers, often looking for food in groups, due to their naturally social nature.
Typically you can see them foraging in trees, often flying over each other from tree to tree to stay in front of the pack.
They are also known to forage on the ground.
Individuals may travel long distances, reportedly up to 30 miles or more a day, for food and water.
Groups of band-tailed pigeons are nomadic, and they often follow the acorn crop.
Breeding Band-Tailed Pigeons
Band-tailed pigeons aren’t highly desired for breeding as they are not ornamental or show pigeons, but they are more well known as game birds.
Though they were once over-hunted, their populations have increased, and they are commonly seen in their natural habitats.
Numbers tend to fluctuate as the birds’ popularity as game waxes and wanes.
They may not be the most popular breeding pigeon, but they do have a specific breeding process in the wild.
Pairs usually nest on their own, often in trees around 15 to 40 feet off the ground.
The male collects the nest material, and the female puts it together.
Each clutch usually contains a single egg, occasionally two, and the male and female take turns incubating.
Incubation takes between 18 and 20 days and the babies remain in the nest for four weeks after hatching.
Both the mother and the father participate in caring for the babies, feeding them crop milk, which is high in protein and fat and helps the babies grow.
It has been observed that some band-tailed pigeon couples complete the nesting process three times a year.
The band-tailed pigeon is a wild species worth looking out for in the forests of western North America.
Resources:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Band-tailed_pigeon (opens in new tab)
- https://projectupland.com/other-birds/band-tailed-pigeon-an-overlooked-game-bird-opportunity-2/ (opens in new tab)
- https://www.beautyofbirds.com/bandtailedpigeons.html
- https://www.birdweb.org/birdweb/bird/band-tailed_pigeon (opens in new tab)
Last updated 31 October 2026 · Types