The Band-tailed Pigeon (Patagioenas fasciata) is the largest pigeon in North America at 15 inches long and weighing about a pound. This pigeon is found in southeastern Alaska south through California, and from Utah and Colorado south into Mexico. The colors are a steel gray with a purple cast, the belly is white, at the nape is a white semi-collar. The tail is a broad fan banded with a light grey. The beak is yellow tipped with black and it has yellow legs.

This bird feeds on acorns, berries and seeds and is a frequent visitor to bird feeders. It travels in large flocks. If they visit your feeder, be prepared to have them consume the whole feeder in a day.

The voice is low pitched and an owl-like whoo-hoo.

You'll find the Band-tailed Pigeon in coniferous forests on the northwestern Pacific Coast. Also found in oak or pine-oak woodlands at its southwestern range. They also frequent parks, orchards and backyards.

The nest is made of a twigs and reinforced with needles and moss and lined with feathers, and built on a sturdy tree limb in Douglas fir, pine or oak trees. There are usually from 1 to 2 white eggs. The incubation period is from 16 to 22 days. The young fledge in 15 to 29 days. The breeding season is long and there can be more than one brood each year.

Band-tails have a lifespan of up to 18 years.

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Class: Aves | Order: Columbiformes | Family: Columbidae | Genus: Patagioenas

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Photo of band-tailed pigeon courtesy of Jeanne Jones.