Distribution and Relative Densities of the Band-Tailed Pigeon (Columba fasciata monilas) in California

Blackmon, Thomas

The range of the band-tailed pigeon in California follows the four major mountain range systems; the Klamath-Coast, Cascade-Sierra, Transverse, and the Peninsular. The primary range boundaries for California pigeons are the Pacific Ocean, the Central Valley, Great Basin areas, and California's southeastern deserts. Bandtails begin the southward fall migration into California sometime in August and continue into October. Generally pigeons reach southern Californiaby December. Spring migration north usually begins in March and ends in June or July. The corridors used for both migrations lie along the Klamath, Cascade, Coast, Sierra, Transverse, and Peninsular ranges. The rate of migration can be affected from year to year depending on the amount of food available and weather conditions. Host wintering pigeons in California are found south of Mendocino County in the Coast Range and Plumas County in the Sierras. However, some small residual groups of pigeons frequently occur throughout northern California during the winter months, and moderate numbers have been observed during mild winters. The north and south coast regions commonly record the highest concentrations of pigeons in the State during the fall and winter months. Monterey, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura in the south and Siskiyou, Shasta, and Trinity in the north are the counties where the highest concentrations normally occur. The remaining counties in these regions have recorded high pigeon densities on an occasional or rare basis. Frequently high pigeon concentrations occur in the Sierra Region, but not with the consistency or numbers of those in the north and along the coast. This may be due to inclement weather in the Sierras during the winter months. On very rare occasions high concentrations of pigeons have been observed in the Central Valley. Low to moderate pigeon numbers normally occur along ridges and river drainages throughout the bandtail's range where mast and berry production is high. Mineral seeps in the northern region and Sierras often attract large numbers of wintering pigeons. Available information suggests that flock size in spring migrants tend to be low, and that the birds do not appear to concentrate at feeding or watering areas in as great a number as they do during the fall and winter months. Densities of summering pigeons are generally low and distributed throughout the bandtail's range in California. Breeding activity has been confirmed throughout the pigeon's range and appears to be greatest along the north and south coast. Monterey and Humboldt Counties appear to be the areas of the most concentrated breeding activity in the State.

Distribution and Relative Densities of the Band-Tailed Pigeon (Columba fasciata monilas) in California

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