Spot-winged Pigeon

About the Spot-winged Pigeon

The spot-winged pigeon (Patagioenas maculosa) is a species of bird in the family Columbidae. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay. At least one author has asserted, based on plumage similarities, that the spot-winged pigeon, picazuro pigeon (P. picazuro), bare-eyed pigeon (P. corensis), and scaled pigeon (P. speciosa) form a monophyletic group. Others argue that significant vocal differences belie that.

According to the International Ornithological Committee (IOC), the Clements taxonomy, and the South American Classification Committee of the American Ornithological Society, the spot-winged pigeon has two subspecies, the nominate P. m. maculosa and P. m. albipennis,. The Handbook of the Birds of the World treats the latter as a separate species, white-winged pigeon.

The two subspecies of spot-winged pigeon differ significantly in their plumage. The nominate P. m. maculosa is 32 to 33 cm (13 to 13 in) long and weighs 308 to 347 g (10.9 to 12.2 oz). The adult male's forehead, crown, nape, hindneck, and breast are mostly dull purplish pink and the rest of the head and underparts are gray. The upper... Wikipedia →