White-crowned pigeon

Scientific name: Patagioenas leucocephala

How weight is recorded: Whole weight

Field notes

Appearance

Medium-sized pigeon with a distinctive white crown and nape contrasting sharply against iridescent purple-maroon body plumage. The bare orbital ring is red or orange; sexes are similar, though females may show slightly duller colouring.

Size and weight

Adults typically weigh 140–240 g and measure 25–28 cm in body length; minimal sexual dimorphism in size.

Habitat

White-crowned pigeons inhabit coastal mangrove forests, hardwood hammocks, and tropical woodland edges in lowland areas. They favour dense, humid environments near water with thick canopy cover for roosting and nesting.

Distribution

Range spans the Caribbean region from southern Florida and the Bahamas south through the West Indies and along coastal Central America to northern South America. Restricted to lowland coastal forests and mangrove systems.

Diet

Feeds primarily on fruits from native trees and shrubs, especially those of poisonwood, wild grape, and mangrove species; may also take seeds and fallen berries depending on seasonal availability.

Behaviour

Diurnal and crepuscular, most active during early morning and late afternoon feeding bouts. Highly gregarious, moving in small flocks between roosting and feeding sites; strong, direct flight with characteristic wing-clapping on takeoff.

Hunting tips

Listen for distinctive, repeated cooing calls from roosting and feeding sites at dawn and dusk to locate birds. Approach mangrove and woodland edges slowly, using available cover to reach open ground where birds feed. Move during peak activity periods (dawn/dusk) and use patient glassing of canopy edges to spot roosting birds before they become active.

Whole weight

This species is logged by whole weight — the animal weighed entire, as taken.

Where it is hunted

Listed as huntable in 4 countries in Huntify.

Names in other languages

These field notes are general species knowledge, not legal advice. Always check the current seasons, quotas and firearm rules where you hunt.