How to identify it
Large pigeon, 35-40 cm, bigger than the familiar park pigeon. [1]
Narrow white band across the nape (absent on juveniles) above green iridescence on the neck. [1]
Yellow base to the bill. [1]
Wide grey band across the tail. [1]
Purplish-pink head and chest; sexes similar. [1]
Compared with the rock pigeon: The band-tailed pigeon is larger, with a white nape band, yellow-based bill and wide grey tail band. [1]
Species it is confused with
Check these before deciding what you are looking at. If you are not certain what it is, do not shoot.
- Mourning dove · Zenaida macroura
- Eurasian collared-dove · Streptopelia decaocto
Field notes
- Identification Do not identify Band-tailed pigeon from colour alone. Compare structure, size, range and the listed similar species before making a field decision.[1]
Where it lives
Oak canyons, foothills, chaparral and mountain forests, including pine-oak and fir forest. Increasingly regular in suburban areas on the Pacific Coast. [1]
How it behaves
Sociable; forages in flocks in most seasons, even during breeding, and often nests in small loose colonies. [1]
Nomadic, concentrating where acorns, berries and other wild food crops are abundant. [1]
Feeds both on the ground and in trees, clambering in small branches and even hanging upside down for berries. [1]
Diet is dominated by acorns when available, plus berries such as elderberry, manzanita, juniper and wild grape. [1]
Where it is listed for legal take
These authorities list this species for legal take in their own regulations.
Where legal take is listed
- British Columbia — migratory bird hunting · 2026-2028 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Synopsis
- Canada (federal migratory birds) — migratory bird hunting · Migratory Birds Regulations, 2022 (SOR/2022-105), Schedule Parts 7-13 (MB, SK, AB, BC, NT, YT, NU)
- Arizona — migratory bird hunting · 2026-2027 Arizona Dove and Band-tailed Pigeon Regulations
- California — migratory bird hunting · 2026-2027 California Waterfowl, Upland Game, and Public Use of Department Lands Regulations
- Colorado — migratory bird hunting · 2 CCR 406-5 Chapter W-5 Migratory Birds (03/04/2026; eff. 2026-05-01)
- New Mexico — migratory bird hunting · 2026-2027 New Mexico Migratory Game Bird Supplement
- Oregon — migratory bird hunting · 2026-27 Oregon Game Bird Hunting Regulations (official ODFW booklet)
- Utah — migratory bird hunting · 2026-27 Waterfowl, Upland Game and Turkey Guidebook
- Washington — migratory bird hunting · 2026 Washington Game Bird and Small Game Hunting Regulations (Jul 1 2026 - Jun 30 2027)
Being listed is not an open season. Seasons, zones, licences, methods and limits decide whether this animal may be taken on a given day and place — check Hunt or the authority before you go. Listings read 2026-09-30.
Where it is found
Western North America, from Western Canada and the Pacific Coast south through California, the Rocky Mountains, the Southwest and Texas. Present year-round in parts of the Pacific Coast; mainly a summer resident elsewhere.
Sources
Every claim above is attributed to one of these published sources.
National Audubon Society · reviewed 2026-09-30
National Audubon Society