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Birds of Zihuatanejo

CLASS AVES

-Animals (Kingdom Animalia)

-Chordates (Phylum Chordata)

-Vertebrates (Subphylum Vertebrata)

-Birds (Class Aves)

-Pigeons and Doves (Order Columbiformes)

-Pigeons and Doves (Family Columbidae)

-New World Pigeons (Genus Patagioenas)

-Red-billed Pigeon (Patagioenas flavirostris)


The Red-billed Pigeon is usually seen in pairs or small flocks, often perched conspicuously in a variety of habitats, including open forests, patchy farmland, and mangroves. It is A common bird of dry woods in Mexico and Central. Identified by the rusty tones on their head, neck, and breast, and the small red bill with a pale tip.America. Their diet includes berries, seeds and nuts, including those of hackberry, mistletoe, wild fig, and many other plants.

Red-billed Pigeon

Patagioenas flavirostris

Diet

  • Primarily fruits and berries, including figs and other soft fruits.

  • Also feeds on seeds, buds, flowers, and occasionally cultivated grains.

  • Usually forages in the forest canopy but will descend to the ground or visit fruiting trees in open areas.

Range

  • Found from southern Texas through Mexico, Central America, and into northern South America.

  • Widespread throughout much of Mexico, including the Zihuatanejo region, where it is a common year-round resident.

  • Inhabits tropical dry forests, tropical semi-deciduous forests, woodland edges, gallery forests, mangroves, plantations, and agricultural areas with scattered trees, generally from sea level to about 2,000 m.

Male / Female

  • Male: Slate-gray head, neck, and underparts with a subtle pinkish-purple iridescence on the neck, maroon-brown back and wings, bright red bill with a pale tip, and reddish eyes. Slightly larger than the female.

  • Female: Very similar in appearance but generally slightly smaller and duller, with less iridescence on the neck.

  • Sexes cannot be reliably distinguished in the field except by subtle size and colour intensity differences.

Size

  • Length: 32–36 cm (12.6–14.2 in)

  • Wingspan: 52–58 cm (20.5–22.8 in)

  • Weight: 250–350 g (8.8–12.3 oz)

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