band-tailed pigeon

Trying out my newest lens, I got this pigeon a good distance away. I'm sure it would have been better if I'd had the tripod with me.

Band-tailed pigeon :D Another lifer that trip. Unfortunately, the fog that morning was pea-soup thick up along Sea Ranch Ridge, where we were walking.

There are close to 20 of these pigeons sticking close to our home and eating the sunflower seeds faster than we can refill the feeders. The wind-swept lake made a good background color to show off their colors.

I'm having a good time with these pigeons. Counted 21 of them yesterday. This is the first year we've ever seen them and now that they've discovered the sunflower seeds feeders I think they're going to stay around a while. Their heavy weight has already brought down our larger three tube...

These pigeons have discovered there are sunflower seeds in the small dish on our deck. This one was waiting a turn as two others below were eating the seeds as quickly as they could.

We've been seeing a flock of these before sunrise for a couple weeks but I couldn't identify them until this one stopped just as the sun came up. I've never seen these birds before and was sorry I missed catching the iridescent coloring on the back of the neck.

This is an indigenous species, one of the few large Columbids left in the No. American continent. It is found west of the Rocky Mtns. It is a large bird, with very distinct, unpigeon-like vocalizations.

This band-tailed pigeon was quite a compliant subject as I was able to get close enough for this shot!

First of the year for me.

Little on the disheveled side; needs a moult, but this is an adult bird, as evidenced of the white collar and the dark terminal band on tail.

This is as about as good as it gets for an adult bird. Only the adults have the distinctive white band on the nape, along with the irredesent green. But, this individual had the deepest wine coloration in the head I think I've ever seen.

If there is one way to discribe this bird it is with one word; "GLUTON". They have a prodigious capacity for volumes of food, and it is never ending. But that aside, they are a very remarkably colourd pigeon and they are large. Vocalizations are not what one would expect of pigeons...

One of many pigeons in this park.

Juvenile bird trying to fall asleep on me.

Band-tailed pigeon at the feeder. These are very skittish birds, but when they arrive at the feeder, they arrive in force, and a flock of them can clean out a feeder in no time.

The vocalizations of these birds sound anything but like a pigeon. They hoot more like a sterotypical owl; make electronic buzzes; hiss; growl anything but koo, like a pigeon.

These are the only indigenous pigeons left on the N. American Continent. They are voracious eaters. They can consume a 50 lb bag of sunflower seeds in about 2 hours. (flocks of birds assumed, ofcourse)

These birds come in large flocks to eat the food I put out. And eat they do...they can consume a 50lb bag of food in 10 minutes. (Juvenile)

Another regular visiting species to the sunflower seed feeder, awaits a turn.

A young Band-tailed pigeon came to my feeder one afternoon.

A Band-tail at my feeder alowed me close enough to snap this shot.

I've had these guys around a lot the last month. I finally got one to pose on the perch. I've noticed they vary in color quite a bit. This is one of the lighter ones.

Band-tailed Pigeon