Ruddy Pigeon (Patagioenas subvinacea)

Identification & Behavior: ~29.2 cm (11.4 in). The Ruddy Pigeon is mostly reddish-brown. The iris is brown. The orbital skin is reddish. The bill is black and relatively shorter than in the Plumbeous Pigeon. The tail is solid gray. It is similar to the Plumbeous Pigeon but is distinguished by having a brown iris, shorter bill, and overall reddish-brown coloration.

Status: The Ruddy Pigeon is uncommon in the canopy and sub-canopy of mature forest and less frequently along forest edges. It is known to range up to 1900 m along the foothill of the Andes. It is also rare in the humid and semi-deciduous forest of Tumbes, in extreme NW Peru. It also occurs in Co, Ec, Br, and Bo.

Name in Spanish: Paloma Rojiza.

Sub-species: Ruddy Pigeon (Patagioenas subvinacea berlepschi), E. Hartert 1898. SW Ecuador and extreme NW Peru.
(P. s. ogilviegranti), C. Chubb 1917. Southeastern Colombia south to eastern Bolivia.
(P. s. recondita), Todd 1937. Central Amazonian Brazil, south of the Amazon.

Meaning of Name: Patagioenas: Gr. Patageö= noise, noisy and Oinas= dove. subvinacea: L. sub= slightly lower, almost; and vinacea, vinaceus vinum= with burgundy wine.

See more of the Family Columbidae