The Indian Subcontinent provides suitable habitats to various species of birds for residing and nesting. Pigeons are no exception in this regard. Various species of Pigeons have been recorded in different parts of India. These Pigeons are described below.
Pale-Capped Pigeon
Pale-Capped Pigeon is found in parts of northern and northeastern India. It is identified as a large (36-40.5 cm-long) all-dark chestnut brown bird. The male bird has whitish-grey crown and dark slate-colored rump and upper-tail coverts. Its ear-coverts, throat and underparts are vinous-brown whereas the upperparts are purplish-maroon with faint green gloss on the neck. Its female counterpart has a more brownish-grey crown, slaty-grey undertail-coverts and blackish tail and flight feathers.
Nilgiri Wood Pigeon
Nilgiri Wood Pigeon has been traced in the moist deciduous forests and sholas of the Western Ghats in south-western India. The features of this bird which help to identify it are large size, dark colors and the distinctive checkerboard pattern on the nape. Male and female Nilgiri Wood Pigeons differ in terms of a physical feature. The male has a paler grey crown while the female has a darker grey crown with a pale throat.
Snow Pigeon
Snow Pigeon is a resident bird, which has been traced in the rocky hills of many countries including India. This Pigeon has a blackish head, white neck collar and white underparts. It has brownish grey back with a white patch on the lower back. Its wings are pale grey with three brown bands. At the black tail, it has a clear white band in the middle which narrows and curves forward to reach the tip of outermost tail features.
Nicobar Pigeon
Nicobar Pigeon has been traced on Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It can be described as a bird with grey head and upper neck plumage (which converts into green and copper hackles) and a very short and pure white tail. The rest of its plumage of the bird is metallic green. A small blackish knob is created by the cere of the dark bill. The female Pigeon has smaller bill knob, shorter hackles and browner underparts. It is slightly smaller than the male counterpart.
Thick-Billed Green Pigeon
In India, Thick-Billed Green Pigeon have been found in eastern regions. This is a bird with thick pale greenish bill with red base, broad bluish-green eye ring and grey crown. The female Pigeon has greenish undertail coverts with whitish scales, whereas the male Pigeon has maroon dorsum and dull chestnut undertail coverts.
Other Indian Pigeons
Some of the other Pigeons found in India are Green Imperial Pigeon, Mountain Imperial Pigeon and Hill Pigeon.
