Bird
Bird
Scaled Pigeon
Patagioenas speciosa
The Scaled Pigeon is a large, richly coloured forest pigeon named for the neat, scale-like pattern of its neck and breast feathers, glinting with iridescent purple and bronze in good light.
The Scaled Pigeon is a large, richly coloured forest pigeon named for the neat, scale-like pattern of its neck and breast feathers, glinting with iridescent purple and bronze in good light. It favours tall forest canopy and is more often heard than clearly seen.
Identification
A large pigeon around 32 to 35 cm long, with a deep maroon-purple head, neck, and breast showing a distinct scaled pattern from pale feather edging, a white iris, and a red bill with a pale tip. The back and wings are darker brownish, and the belly is whitish. Its deep, resonant cooing call carries well through the canopy.
Behaviour
Forages in the forest canopy and subcanopy, mainly on fruit from a range of forest trees, moving between fruiting trees sometimes in small flocks and often in the company of other large pigeons. It is a strong, direct flier typical of large canopy pigeons, and generally stays higher in the forest structure than terrestrial doves.
Status in T&T
Found in mature forest across Trinidad, generally in lower densities than more common dove and pigeon species, and dependent on intact canopy with a good diversity of fruiting trees. Not considered threatened, and it is protected as native wildlife under the Conservation of Wildlife Act.
Threats
- Loss of mature forest canopy with fruiting tree diversity
