Red-Billed Pigeon
Patagioenas flavirostris
About This Species
This large, dark pigeon favours forest edges, riparian woodland, and semi-open country from Mexico and Central America north into southern Texas, where it perches prominently in treetops. Its deep, rolling cooing call is often heard before the bird is seen, and it forages mainly on fruit and seeds gathered from trees rather than the ground. It is present year-round in most of its range, so any season with fruiting trees in leafy cover is a good time to look.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- Viewing from below the perch tree at ordinary birdwatching distance is sufficient and avoids flushing the bird from its exposed spot.
- It is protected as a native migratory species under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act in the United States, while protections elsewhere in its range follow the wildlife laws of Mexico and the Central American countries it occupies, which differ in detail.
- Avoid disturbing nests, which are often placed high in dense foliage and easy to overlook.
LCAvesColumbiformesColumbidae
Seasonal Activity
344,207 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Columbiformes
- Family
- Columbidae
Photo
(c) Ad Konings, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Ad Konings
CC-BY-NC-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.