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Manatee County

Audubon Society

White-crowned Pigeon

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Name

White-crowned Pigeon

Scientific Name

(Patagioenas leucocephala)

Why they are special:

  • A tropical pigeon found in southern Florida and the Keys, essential for seed dispersal in mangroves and hardwood hammocks.

  • Recognized by its striking white crown contrasting with dark body plumage.

Size and color:

  • Large pigeon, 12–14 inches long.

  • Pale gray head with white crown, dark body, reddish feet, and pale red bill.

  • Juveniles are duller with gray crowns.

Seasonality in Florida:

  • Year-round resident in southern Florida.

Habitat:

  • Mangroves, hardwood hammocks, and coastal forests.

  • Often forms small to medium feeding flocks.

Diet:

  • Fruits, berries, seeds, and nuts.

  • Plays a critical ecological role by dispersing seeds of tropical trees.

Behavior:

  • Flies in direct, fast flight between feeding and roosting areas.

  • Nests in dense foliage, building cup-shaped nests of twigs.

Conservation notes:

  • Populations are threatened by habitat loss and hunting, particularly in the Caribbean.

  • Protected in Florida under state law; conservation of mangroves is crucial.

Best time to see:

  • Year-round, especially near mangroves and tropical hardwood forests.

Fun Fact:

  • White-crowned Pigeons are key seed dispersers, helping maintain tropical and coastal forest ecosystems.

 

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