Short-billed Pigeon Patagioenas nigrirostris Scientific name definitions

The Short-billed Pigeon forms part of the Plumbeous Pigeon (Patagioenas plumbea) species-group, and is most similar to the Ruddy Pigeon (Patagioenas subvinacea) in appearance. However, perhaps counter-intuitively, although the Short-billed Pigeon’s bill is indeed very short, it is larger and stouter than that of Ruddy Pigeon. Other differences from the latter species include the rather darker back. Short-billed Pigeons are widespread and generally common in Middle America, from southeast Mexico south to Panama, and also reach northernmost Colombia. The species ranges to at least 1500 m, and is usually found in the forest canopy or at the forest edge, although it will descend almost to ground level to feed on certain, favored fruits.

Male 27–31 cm, female 26–29 cm; 128–236 g. Similar in appearance to P. subvinacea with a larger and stouter bill ; mantle , back, rump and wing-coverts olive brown or dark purplish brown, darker than reddish nominate race of P. subvinacea which occurs sympatrically in some areas in Costa Rica and Panama; iris pink, vinous or rose, eyelids red; bill and cere black, rictus dull reddish; legs red. Female sometimes indistinguishable, but tends to be duller; feathers of hindneck sometimes with blackish centres and purplish or bronzy sides; apparently vestigial display plumage more noticeable than in male. Juvenile duller all over, feathers of upperparts with rusty fringes; feathers of head, neck and breast with broad rust red fringes.

SE Mexico to E Panama and NW Colombia (N Chocó).

Occupies forest canopy, forest edge and tall secondary growth in humid lowlands, ranging in places up to 1500 m; absent in “dry” Pacific NW of Costa Rica.

Resident.

Relishes mistletoe and other fruits and berries. In Costa Rica, will descend almost to ground level to feed on pokeberry (Phytolacca rivinoides) which can be abundant in clearings. Mostly an arboreal feeder occupying middle to upper storeys of trees; similarly descends to ground to take gravel and small invertebrates.

Song is a repeated rhythmic phrase of four coos "whu...pwuh..whu..huw", with the second note typically underslurred, and pause between first and second note longest. Length of four-note phrase is about 1,5 second (see P. subvinacea for comparison). Call is a purring, drawn-out, slightly overslurred "rrrrrow".

Mar and Aug in Costa Rica; Jun in NW Panama; Jan in N Colombia. Builds a nest platform of twigs and dry inflorescences, situated 5–30 m up in a tree or in a dense vine tangle in tall secondary growth forest. Clutch is 1 white egg. No further information available.

Not globally threatened. Common to abundant in its preferred habitat; a characteristic species of lowland forests in Central America. Common to fairly common in Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras; marginal in Colombia. Tendency to occupy dense canopy means that species is often underrecorded. No significant threats known.