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Look for band-tailed pigeons in forests at top of the tram
By Jim Cornett
Special to The Desert Sun
August 8th, 2004
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Though often confused with the introduced rock dove or domestic pigeon, the band-tailed pigeon is the only native member of its genus in the mountain forests at the top of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. The larger size, white crescent on the back of the neck, and preference for forests at higher elevations help distinguish the band-tailed from its exotic relatives.
Band-tailed pigeons are popular game birds though their swift flight makes them difficult targets to hit. In fact, during hunting season more shots are fired per bird bagged than for any other species. They tolerate existing hunting pressures fairly well, though in years past poor management resulted in a drastic reduction in pigeon numbers.
During fall, winter and spring, most band-tails gather in large aggregations, partly for protection and partly to enhance their food-finding capabilities. Should winter food resources be unusually scarce over widespread areas, even larger flocks may assemble in areas of local food abundance. Such was the case in 1912 in Santa Barbara County, when more than half a million pigeons descended upon a single valley where an unusually large concentration of acorns was available.
Band-tails have predators, in addition to human hunters, that take their toll of both adult and nestling birds. Squirrels steal eggs and may devour the single chick produced by a mated pair. Cooper’s hawks and prairie falcons are known to prey upon adult pigeons.
Should a large predator, such as a weasel, approach an occupied nest, the parent may tumble and flop to the ground as though it were injured. Such feigning works to distract the predator away from the chick and toward the seemingly injured adult. An easy meal is too much temptation for a weasel, and it will allow the pigeon to lead it away from the nest. Once the pigeon is satisfied that its offspring is out of danger, it stops the charade and flies off.
Band-tailed pigeons feed on a variety of plants, including acorns and terminal buds of oaks, manzanita berries, flowers of the locust, dogweed seeds, and occasional insects. Sometimes foraging is accomplished in a most unusual manner. To reach food on a branch below them they actually hang upside down -- quite a feat for so large a bird. They may pluck blossoms or fruit for up to two minutes in this fashion until they can no longer reach any food on the branch.
END ARTICLE
Note: Most of the forest land at the top of the Palm Springs Tram is State Park -- NO HUNTING ALLOWED. However, there are NF areas outside of the park with mixed pine-oak habitat.
By Jim Cornett
Special to The Desert Sun
August 8th, 2004
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Though often confused with the introduced rock dove or domestic pigeon, the band-tailed pigeon is the only native member of its genus in the mountain forests at the top of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. The larger size, white crescent on the back of the neck, and preference for forests at higher elevations help distinguish the band-tailed from its exotic relatives.
Band-tailed pigeons are popular game birds though their swift flight makes them difficult targets to hit. In fact, during hunting season more shots are fired per bird bagged than for any other species. They tolerate existing hunting pressures fairly well, though in years past poor management resulted in a drastic reduction in pigeon numbers.
During fall, winter and spring, most band-tails gather in large aggregations, partly for protection and partly to enhance their food-finding capabilities. Should winter food resources be unusually scarce over widespread areas, even larger flocks may assemble in areas of local food abundance. Such was the case in 1912 in Santa Barbara County, when more than half a million pigeons descended upon a single valley where an unusually large concentration of acorns was available.
Band-tails have predators, in addition to human hunters, that take their toll of both adult and nestling birds. Squirrels steal eggs and may devour the single chick produced by a mated pair. Cooper’s hawks and prairie falcons are known to prey upon adult pigeons.
Should a large predator, such as a weasel, approach an occupied nest, the parent may tumble and flop to the ground as though it were injured. Such feigning works to distract the predator away from the chick and toward the seemingly injured adult. An easy meal is too much temptation for a weasel, and it will allow the pigeon to lead it away from the nest. Once the pigeon is satisfied that its offspring is out of danger, it stops the charade and flies off.
Band-tailed pigeons feed on a variety of plants, including acorns and terminal buds of oaks, manzanita berries, flowers of the locust, dogweed seeds, and occasional insects. Sometimes foraging is accomplished in a most unusual manner. To reach food on a branch below them they actually hang upside down -- quite a feat for so large a bird. They may pluck blossoms or fruit for up to two minutes in this fashion until they can no longer reach any food on the branch.
END ARTICLE
Note: Most of the forest land at the top of the Palm Springs Tram is State Park -- NO HUNTING ALLOWED. However, there are NF areas outside of the park with mixed pine-oak habitat.
