Band-Tailed Pigeon

The band-tailed pigeon has at least eight subspecies and some authorities split the species into two species: the northern band-tailed pigeon (Patagioenas  fasciata) and the southern band-tailed pigeon (Patagioenas albilinea). It is the closest living relative of the extinct passenger pigeon and has been considered for use in efforts to bring the passenger pigeon back. The subspecies P. f. monilis, which I have seen, breeds in British Columbia south into southern California. It winters in central California southward. The subspecies P. f. fasciata breeds in the mountains from north central Colorado, central Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and western Texas south through Mexico into north-central Nicaragua. The northernmost populations are migratory and winter from southern Arizona and New Mexico southward, moving to lower elevations. It can be found up to 12,000 feet in elevation in oak, pine-oak and coniferous forests. 

Range map of the band-tailed pigeon from Birds of the World. 

It has gray plumage, a little darker above, and the head and underparts have a faint pink cast. The belly is almost white. The bill and feet are yellow and adults have green iridescence on the back of the neck next to a thin white collar on the nape. Fasciata, the inland subspecies in the U.S., is paler and less richly colored (less reddish or purple), especially on the breast. 

This illustration is of P. f. fasciata, the inland U.S. subspecies, from Birds of the World. P. f. monilis, the bird I've seen, is larger and a little more colorful. 

I've seen it very occasionally, that is about every five years or so, but never in great numbers. I've seen it in our backyard in Redlands a few times and in the mountains a few times. 

The first three photos are from our yard in Redlands, California.

These last three photos are from June 2025 near the Chilao Visitor Center in the San Gabriel Mountains at an elevation of about 5,280 feet.