Spot-Winged Pigeon
Patagioenas maculosa
About This Species
Look for this stocky, pale-spotted pigeon in open woodland, scrubland and agricultural areas across southern South America, where it feeds on the ground in small flocks on seeds and grain before flushing to nearby trees. Its wingbeats produce a sharp clatter on takeoff, and pale wing patches are conspicuous in flight against darker plumage. Open farmland and scrub edges in the cooler, drier months tend to offer the most reliable sightings.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- A distance of 15 to 20 metres before flushing is typical for this somewhat wary ground-feeding species, so approach slowly and avoid direct eye contact with a feeding flock.
- General wildlife protections apply across its range but vary by country, so check local rules rather than assuming a single standard.
- Avoid pressing close to feeding flocks, since repeated flushing wastes energy they need for foraging.
LCAvesColumbiformesColumbidae
Seasonal Activity
182,275 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Columbiformes
- Family
- Columbidae
Photo
Wikimedia Commons / Wikimedia Commons
CC-BY-SA-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.