The Ruddy Pigeon, Patagioenas subvinacea (see Johnson et al., 2001), is a largish pigeon which breeds from Costa Rica south to western Ecuador, Bolivia and central Brazil.
It is found in highland forest canopy and semi-open woodland from 1500 m altitude to the timberline. It builds a rudimentary platform nest out of twigs 5 m high in a small tree, and lays one white egg.
This species is replaced at lower altitudes by the very similar Short-billed Pigeon, Patagioenas nigrirostris. The two species are best separated by call.
(Columbidae – Please see also Doves)
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Description:
The Ruddy Pigeon is 28 cm long and weighs 170 g. It is unpatterned and mainly wine-purple in color, becoming more rufous on the back. The tail and primary flight feathers are dark brown, the bill is black, and the legs and eyes are purple-red.
The female is slightly duller and browner than the male, and the juvenile bird has a greyish brown head, neck and breast, with cinnamon or rufous scaling on the head and upperparts.
Call / Vocalization:
Ruddy Pigeon has a loud coo, k’-COO coo call.
Diet / Feeding:
It is normally seen in pairs as it forages in the tree tops for mistletoe, fruits and berries, but may occasionally be seen on tracks and roadside seeking grit.
