The plumbeous pigeon is a species of bird in the family Columbidae. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela.
Region
Amazon Basin and Andean foothills
Typical Environment
Occurs widely in humid tropical forests from eastern Panama through northern and western South America, including the Guianas, Amazonian Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and Venezuela. It favors extensive terra firme and foothill rainforests, but also uses várzea, forest edges, and tall secondary growth. Most activity is in the mid-story to canopy, where it follows fruiting trees. The species is generally sedentary within its range with local movements tracking food availability.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The plumbeous pigeon is a shy, mostly canopy-dwelling forest pigeon of the Neotropics, more often heard than seen. Its soft, mournful series of coos carries far through humid forests. It forages at fruiting trees and may visit mineral-rich clay licks to obtain salts and grit. Its uniform lead-gray plumage helps distinguish it from the browner Ruddy Pigeon in overlapping ranges.
Temperament
shy and unobtrusive
Flight Pattern
strong, direct flight with rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, but may gather in small groups at fruiting trees. Builds a simple twig platform nest high in trees where it typically lays a single egg. Courtship includes soft cooing and short display flights.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A mellow, mournful series of low coos, often delivered in evenly spaced sequences that carry through dense forest. Calls are most frequent at dawn and dusk and can be the best clue to its presence.
Plumage
Mostly uniform lead-gray to slate-gray with a faint purplish or vinaceous gloss on the head and neck; underparts slightly paler; wings and tail concolorous and unpatterned.
Diet
Primarily eats small fruits and berries from forest trees and lianas. It swallows fruits whole and later regurgitates seeds, contributing to seed dispersal. Occasionally ingests seeds and small amounts of grit or mineral soil to aid digestion.
Preferred Environment
Forages mostly in the mid-story and canopy at fruiting trees along forest edges, gaps, and river corridors. Will descend to visit clay licks or to drink at quiet streams, but spends much time perched quietly in cover.
