White-crowned Pigeon is Crowned #200
I fretted about not having my long lens in Key West; but somehow I really lucked out with this next bird, the White-crowned Pigeon, crowned #200 on my photographed bird lifer list!
White-crowned Pigeon
White-crowned Pigeon
Just as other birds, if the lighting hits just right, you can see the White-crowned Pigeon’s iridescent green feathers at the back of its neck.
White-crowned Pigeon
A resident of the Caribbean islands and coastlines, the White-crowned Pigeon’s farthest northern range is south Florida. It feeds almost entirely on fruits of hardwood trees.
I spotted this pigeon in a tree along the outside walkway around our hotel’s third floor. Not only did it give me a few beautiful poses, it also dropped down in front of me on the below overhang to gather sticks. Hmmmm…..
White-crowned Pigeon
White-crowned Pigeon
White-crowned Pigeon
White-crowned Pigeon
White-crowned Pigeon gathering nesting materials
Instead of taking off and away, it was flying back up high into the tree. Ah-ha! I finally saw the nest with it’s mate brooding.
White-crowned Pigeon nest with mate brooding inside
I wondered if I could see the nest from the floor above. And there it was, at eye level, with an adult incubating. The nest was actually hidden quite well, had I not known to look deep into the tree from several angles.
White-crowned Pigeon incubating on nest
After two shots, I left and never went back to check on them so not to cause stress and also to not give a clue to other people on the nest’s hidden location.
The White-crowned Pigeon is threatened throughout its range. It is estimated the global breeding population is about 550,000 with 1% living in the United States and 4% in Mexico. Now protected in Florida, the White-crowned Pigeon is unfortunately still hunted extensively in Caribbean countries.
Stay safe in Key West, Florida, White-crowned Pigeon family!
Right outside your window, a real treat. Stay well. 🙂
Thank you, Jane! You too. 🙂
Wonderful shots Donna! And as always, I learned a lot from your blog!
Thank you, Steve! I’m having way too much fun down here. 😉
Such a beautiful, elegant bird.
Thank you, Katya, they are!
Drum roll, fanfare you’ve reached the milestone! Super looking bird to hit 200 with.
Thank you much, Brian! Thought I’d never get there, but not bad for an amateur birder and photographer. 🙂
Wow, this is a beautiful bird! I’ve never seen it, it’s feathers are gorgeous. How sad that people are killing them. 🤬
Thank you, John! It was a real treat and surprise for me! Unfortunately, they are hunted by humans to eat. 😦
Handsome birds. Nicely done and a new breed to me!
Thank you, Belinda!
WOW … what a handsome bird! Luck was only part of it … your skill was the other part. Great captures!
Thank you, Denise!
Wow, never spotted one. Great catch 👏👏👏
Thank you, Ted!
Beautiful
Thank you!
Well done for adding to your list and getting such good shots at the same time.
Thank you, Tom!
What a lucky sighting, Donna. Great photos. 👏🏻
Thank you, Sylvia!
Wow Donna! Never saw one of these before! Very Nice! Really Cool for #200!
Thank you, Reed! I’m planning Ding Darling for the Reddish Egret for #201! 😉
Great shots for #200. Really enjoying you taking us along on your birding journey! William
Thank you, William! What wonderful gifts birds are for us. 🙂
Congratulations Donna! And what a beautiful bird.
As always, thank you for sharing, and for also protecting the birds’ privacy too❤️
Thank you, Takami! It was such a delightful find! 🙂
A beautiful lifer well captured Donna, another exciting find my friend, and to see the nest a bonus!
Thank you, Ashley! It just about can’t get any better than this on a first-time sighting of a new lifer! 🙂
Congratulations Donna! I love that first photo – a great composition, especially with that chopped off branch. Well done!
Thank you, Mike! Most fun to find a new life bird I didn’t first know about. 🙂
Awesome!! A very new species for me, Donna! Great series of pictures!!
Thank you, Indira!! This find was a special delight especially with the nest! 🙂
Congratulations to the #200 lifer, Donna. You got great pictures, as always. Take care! 🙂
Thank you, HJ! 😊
They are beautiful!
Thank you!
I’ve never seen a black pigeon before. How pretty. It knew you were taking photos. LOL! Pose for the camera!
Are they hunted for food or because they are pretty? How awful…
It did keep cocking its head at me! 🙂 I know though, I was making it wary. Hunted for food, yes how awful….. 😦
“I’m watching you! Take my picture!” LOL!
That is a shame. It’s not like they have any size to them. They would be a tiny meal. Geez…SMDH.
Love those birds. Fantastic job, Donna. 😊
Thank you, Irene! 🙂
What a find, Donna, and wonderful images and info about this bird. Congrats on #200!
Thank you, Ellen! 😊
Wow, a very special #200! And a real beauty! I’m impressed you found the nest, too. Most auspicious. 🙂
Thank you, Eliza! It befitted the 200 title quite well! I was really gifted with this wonderful find. 🙂