Band-tailed Pigeon

The Band‑tailed Pigeon is a large, elegant pigeon with a smooth gray body, a soft purplish wash across the breast, and a distinctive white crescent on the nape that contrasts with its iridescent green neck sheen. Its namesake tail shows a broad, pale terminal band, and the bill is yellow with a black tip, giving the bird a clean, refined look. In flight it appears long‑winged and powerful, often revealing subtle lavender tones on the wings and back.

• Species eBird Ecuador Link: Band-tailed Pigeon

In Ecuador, the Band‑tailed Pigeon is a resident of humid montane and cloud forests along both Andean slopes, generally between about 1,500 and 3,500 meters. It is fairly common in suitable habitat, especially around fruiting trees, and often forms small flocks that move along forested ridges or glide between tall canopy trees. Its presence is closely tied to intact mid‑ and high‑elevation forests, though it also uses forest edges and semi‑open areas with mature trees.

One particularly interesting fact is that the species is divided into several subspecies across its vast range, and Ecuador hosts the southern form Patagioenas fasciata albilinea, which shows a paler tail band and subtle regional plumage differences. Band‑tailed Pigeons are also known for their strong, swift flight and their reliance on mast‑producing trees; in parts of their range, they undertake short‑distance movements to track fruit and acorn crops. Their deep, resonant cooing carries far through the forest, making them more often heard than seen in the misty Andean canopy.