Band-tailed Pigeon (Patagioenas fasciata)

This adult was attracted to birdseed on our back deck. Juveniles are similar but lack the white nape crescent. This is probably a male. Females average duller overall, with a narrower white crescent and less extensive greenish-bronze iridescent feathers on the nape. They are the largest North American Pigeon. In our area they prefer mature woodland for nesting. This is the Pacific Coast race "P. f. monilis" characterized by its dark purple gray head and and pinkish purple gray breast. This race synonymized with interior nominate by some authors. The dark tip to the bill is characteristic of North American populations.