Band-tailed Pigeon

On 19 March 2021, two Band-tailed Pigeons, after a winter’s absence, appeared at our feeders. These pigeons are common in western Washington in the summer and can be locally common in the winter, too—just not in our backyard. We are ending our first full two years in Olympia. Previously the pigeons’ earliest dates were 4 April 2020 and 19 May 2019. Most of our birds move south to winter along Pacific Coast. This dove enjoys a remarkably wide range, from western North America south  through Central and western South America to northern Argentina. Here in Washington, numbers are declining. The species may be susceptible to protozoa diseases at feeders. Band-tailed Pigeons also depend on mineral springs, which supply essential nutrients, but are disappearing with agricultural and urban development (Wahl et al. 2005).