If you’ve spotted a pigeon with a large patch of bare skin around its eyes in northern South America, it may well have been a Bare-eyed pigeon.
These pigeons are locally common in northern Colombia and Venezuela, and they can be mistaken for White-winged doves. However, several differences set them apart.
Here are more details about the Bare-eyed pigeon to help you identify it.
Bare Eyed Pigeon Origins
Bare-eye pigeons originate in South America and aren’t widely spread worldwide.
You can spot them on Colombia’s and Venezuela’s Caribbean shores.
They also live year-round on the islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao.
- Order: Columbiformes
- Family: Columbidae
- Genus: Patagioenas
The Bare-eyed pigeons belong to the Columbidae (opens in new tab) family.
Doves are members of this family as well.
There are about 350 species in this family.
More than a dozen species have died out in recent centuries, mainly because of hunting, habitat loss and introduced predators.
The Bare-eyed pigeon’s genus is Patagioenas, the New World pigeons.
Within the genus, its closest relatives are thought to be the Picazuro pigeon and the Spot-winged pigeon of southern South America.
Habitat
Bare-eyed pigeons like subtropical and tropical dry woods.
They’re also fond of dry shrubland.
They have occasionally been seen as high as about 400 m (1,312 feet).
Some of these birds have adapted to living near people.
As a result, they eat on farmland and in city environments regularly.
Conservation Status
The Bare-eyed pigeon is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Its population is thought to be increasing.
It is not considered at risk of extinction.
However, it is still hunted in places.
Behavior
The behavior of the Bare-eyed pigeon hasn’t been well documented.
However, they are strong flyers.
They’re regularly seen flying over water bodies.
Diet
Bare-eyed pigeons scavenge primarily in trees and bushes, but they’ll occasionally eat on land.
Seeds and fruits of trees, as well as vegetation, make up its diet.
They can also eat human food, such as fries or popcorn, that is on the ground.
Breeding Bare Eyed Pigeons
There isn’t much recorded about the Bare-eyed pigeon’s breeding cycle.
However, it’s believed that it’s initiated by rain.
They go around and try to find suitable sticks and twigs usually found in trees or bushes.
They then use these sticks to build their nest on top of a tree.
Because the nest is a thin platform of twigs, the eggs can sometimes be seen from below.
If you stand underneath the nest tree, you may be able to see them through the twigs.
It takes around 17 days for an egg to hatch.
Both parents then feed the chicks, first with crop milk, until they can fly.
The young are reported to leave the nest roughly two weeks after hatching.
Appearance Of The Bare Eyed Pigeon
The Bare-eyed pigeons have some unique appearance qualities.
These qualities make them stand out from other pigeons.
| Wingspan | Length | Weight | Coloring | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Bare-Eyed Pigeon | Not Documented | 32-37 cm Males 30-34.5 cm Females | About 274 g | Pale bluish gray with some pale brown/black, and bare skin around the eyes with a dark ring. |
| Average Feral Pigeon | 64 – 72 cm | 32 – 37 cm | 300 – 500g | Bluish gray with some black |
The ring around the eye of the pigeon is its most distinguishing characteristic.
They make the eye look like a bullseye.
Some other pigeon species, such as Speckled Pigeons, have similar rings around their eyes.
However, what differentiates them from other pigeons is that the ring is dark and has exposed skin.
The Bare-eyed pigeons have white streaks on both wings.
Those streaks are most evident in flight but can also be seen in other postures.
Their primary wing feathers are dark.
Their neck feathers can be somewhat glossy and shine when the sun catches them.
Both sexes have the same appearance:
- They have a pink head and a bluish-gray crown.
- Their body is a faint bluish gray.
- Their feet are pastel pink.
- Their bills are also pink. However, the shade is much lighter than that of their feet.
Young Bare-eyed pigeons are similar in appearance.
They do not, however, have the dark ring around their eyes.
Their heads and necks are browner, and their bills are more rose in color.
Similar Birds
Bare-eyed pigeons can be easily confused with White-winged doves (opens in new tab), which are native to North America and the Caribbean.
White-winged doves also live in dry and desert areas.
So if you live in a state like Texas or Arizona, you’re much more likely to see a White-winged dove, as Bare-eyed pigeons don’t occur there.
White-winged doves and Bare-eyed pigeons have similar feather patterns.
However, the dove is smaller and has a different form.
For example, both have rings around their eyes, but the White-winged dove’s rings are a light blue.
They also aren’t as easily visible as Bare-eyed pigeons.
The white tips on the tail help to identify the White-winged dove.
This dove also sports a dark bill and a grayish-brown upper body.
Summary
There are many unusual-looking pigeons in the world.
The Bare-eyed pigeon’s bare eye patch makes it one of the easier ones to recognise.
You can find them in dry woodland and scrub.
Their numbers are stable or increasing.
They are worth looking out for if you visit the region.
If you come across one, make sure to photograph it!
Last updated 30 October 2026 · Types