Ring-tailed Pigeon Patagioenas caribaea Scientific name definitions

The Ring-tailed Pigeon is a large and nomadic Pigeon of the highlands of Jamaica, and is most common in the Blue and John Crow mountains. This species inhabits montane forest and forest edges, and follows fruit crops. Consequently, the Ring-tailed Pigeon species can change from being nonexistent to one of  the most abundant and easily seen birds in a matter of days in the right location. The Ring-tailed Pigeon generally moves in groups, and very large flocks can and up gathering in a  roost or a fruiting tree.  This species is unique in Jamaica, in that it shows a broad, pale terminal band to the tail.  The Ring-tailed Pigeon is threatened by hunting and habitat loss.

Male 38–48·5 cm, female 38–43 cm; one bird 250 g. Adult plumage reminiscent of juvenile P. fasciata; present species has proportionately longer tail; head, neck and underparts drab vinaceous, underparts tinged with pink; hindneck metallic green or bronze; rest of upperparts brownish grey; primaries dusky; basal portion of tail grey, terminal portion brownish grey, with dusky slate band across centre; undertail-coverts brownish white; iris brilliant orange; orbital skin red; bill and cere black; legs red. Female similar but back, scapulars and wing-coverts suffused with olive or brown; underparts more vina­ceous, metallic hindneck less brilliant. Juvenile with grey of head and neck suffused with brown; foreneck to breast greyish brown passing to fawn or cinnamon on belly.

Closely related to Band-tailed Pigeon (Patagioenas fasciata) and Chilean Pigeon (Patagioenas araucana). Monotypic.

Jamaica, especially in John Crow Mts, E part of Blue Mts and Cockpit Country. One specimen (in Paris) reportedly taken in Puerto Rico.

Mostly in wet highland forests of Jamaica or wet limestone forest, “cockpit” country. Up to almost 2000 m, but as low as 150 m near Windsor.

Descends from highlands to lower elevations of 150–300 m in local autumn and winter.

In contrast to its two Jamaican congeners, P. leucocephala and P. inornata, which feed on both fruit and seed, present species eats solely fresh fruit and thus has a correspondingly weaker gizzard. Fruits eaten include those of Sapium jamaicense, Cordia collococca, Bumelia, Eugenia, Ficus laurus, Chrysophyllum oliviforme and mistletoe berries; also takes fruits of introduced plants Annona muricata, Cecropia piltata, wild raspberries, shoots of Dioscorea rotundata and seeds of palmetto thatch; possible mutualistic relationship with the endemic tree Noctandra antillana. An arboreal feeder, it often takes fruit at the ends of branches and is therefore adept at climbing, and may even hang upside-down.

Advertising call is a series of 4–5 cooing notes (note duration c. 1 second, inter-note pause c. 0·75 seconds). Cooing note is quite variable, but usually bisyllabic with highest pitch and amplitude over second half, e.g. “cooOOh...cooOOh...cooOOh...”.

Breeds in spring and summer. Nest is thick platform of twigs lined with leaves, bark and twigs, placed in top of tall tree, hidden amidst masses of climbing plants. No further information available.

VULNERABLE. Previously listed as Critically Endangered. The global population is estimated at  3500–15,000 individuals. Extirpated from much of its former range on account of heavy hunting pressure, especially over last 150 years; banning of hunting unfortunately appears to have made the bird a much coveted target. In addition, much habitat lost due to extensive clearing of forests; effects of this intensified by hurricanes, with resulting destruction of fruiting trees. Both hunting and forest destruction remain rampant, and pose very serious threats; effective protection urgently required. The potential for habitat loss to bauxite mining in Cockpit Country is currently the most important threat for the important populations in west-central Jamaica.