Birds
Spot-winged Pigeon
Patagioenas maculosa · also called spot-winged pigeons
Marked by a distinctive row of white spots across its folded wings, a spot-winged pigeon ranges from lowland Patagonian scrub to high Andean valleys, adapting readily to farmland wherever its natural habitat gives way to cultivation.
Overview
The spot-winged pigeon, Patagioenas maculosa, is a Least Concern bird native to grassland, mountain, and desert habitat across a wide range of South America. Its distinctive spotted wing pattern, broad elevational tolerance, and adaptability to farmland make it one of the more ecologically flexible pigeon species found anywhere on the continent.
A pigeon comfortable at almost any elevation
From dry Patagonian scrubland at sea level to high Andean valleys thousands of metres up, the spot-winged pigeon has proven itself capable of thriving across an unusually wide span of South American habitat, adapting just as readily to farmland as to open wilderness.
Status
Least Concern, remaining widespread and generally stable across suitable habitat throughout its South American range.
Spot-winged Pigeon: common questions
Why is it called the spot-winged pigeon?
This species has a distinctive row of white spots across its folded wing feathers, a feature that gives the species its common name and helps with identification.
How high in elevation can the spot-winged pigeon be found?
This species is found across a broad range of elevations, from lowland Patagonian scrub up to high Andean valleys thousands of metres above sea level.
Has the spot-winged pigeon adapted to farmland?
Yes, this species has adapted well to farmland and other cultivated areas in parts of its range, supplementing its natural diet with cultivated seeds and grain.
Does the spot-winged pigeon form flocks?
Yes, this species often forms flocks outside the breeding season, gathering at productive feeding sites across open habitat.