Forest and Rangeland Birds of the United States

Natural History and Habitat Use

White-crowned Pigeon -- Columba leucocephala


RANGE: Breeds in southern Florida on islets in the Florida Keys, throughout Florida Bay, the Lesser Antilles, and islets of Central America. Nonbreeding birds may occur in summer in southern peninsular Florida. Winters from southern peninsular Florida and the Florida Keys throughout most of the breeding range to central America.

STATUS: Common.

HABITAT: Generally gregarious; breeds and roosts in large concentrations on brushy, small, low islands and keys, among coastal mangroves and pines.

NEST: Nests colonially, but not with or near other colonial species. Builds nest from a few feet to 15 feet or more above ground, on top of cactus or bushes, or high in mangroves; occasionally low and over water.

FOOD: Forages in open forests, woodlands, and scrubs and eats seeds, berries, and a few insects.

REFERENCES: Cottam and Knappen 1939, Harrison 1975, Sykes in Farrand 1983b, Terres 1980, Wiley and Wiley 1979.


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