A Jamaican Endemic
The ring-tailed pigeon, scientifically called patagioenas caribaea is a stocky built bird averaging approximately 16 inches from head to tail. Their plumage is a mixture of grey and dark brown with chest and belly of a more uniform lighter shade of brown. Their tamed appearance is accented by shimmering yellow and green on the neck, black beak and vivid orange feet and eyes.
These birds are endemic to Jamaica but being in Jamaica does not guarantee that you will ever see one. Unlike their rock pigeon counterparts that are comfortable in urban areas dwelling on bridges and feeding from scraps. The refuge of the ring-tailed pigeon is in isolated woodland areas between the hills and valleys of places such are the cockpit country and the blue and john crow mountains.
Ring-tailed pigeons are one of what are called new world pigeons that were classified under the genus Columba with old-world pigeons. Studies have, however, revealed sufficient distinction between the two group to classify them into different genus. With new world pigeons being placed into the genus patagioenas.
Family: Columbidae
Genus: Patagioenas
Specie: Caribaea
