Species · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

White-crowned Pigeon

ColumbidaeForest birdsPatagioenas leucocephala

White-crowned Pigeon has collapsed: down 81% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-81%Since 1968
9Routes
56Years Surveyed

About the White-crowned Pigeon

The White-crowned Pigeon (Patagioenas leucocephala) is a North American member of the Pigeons & Doves (Columbidae). In this analysis it is grouped with the forest birds.

Size
6–14.5 in long (15–37 cm) — a plump-bodied bird (typical for the family)
Habitat
Woodlands and forest edges, including wooded suburbs and parks.
Diet
Insects and spiders gleaned from foliage and bark, with seeds and berries in season.
Range
Recorded on 9 Breeding Bird Survey routes across 1 state, most concentrated in the Peninsular Florida.
Family
Columbidae · Forest birds

Notable White-crowned Pigeon Trends

No notable trend signals for White-crowned Pigeon. See the full index history below.

White-crowned Pigeon Population Forecast

If the recent trend holds, White-crowned Pigeon is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 0.01 (95% range 0.00–0.06). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±2186.8%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

n/aChange by 2029
0.01Projected 2029 index
0.000.0695% range
±2186.8%Backtest error
19662029
Projection of the recent trend (dashed) with 80/95% bands — a projection, not a prediction. Habitat, climate, and land use are not modeled.
YearProjected index95% low95% high
20250.010.000.06
20260.010.000.06
20270.010.000.06
20280.010.000.06
20290.010.000.06

Where the White-crowned Pigeon Is Detected

BBS routes recording White-crowned Pigeon, sized by most recent count.

White-crowned Pigeon Population Trend by State

White-crowned Pigeon population trend by state.
Florida-75%19689

White-crowned Pigeon Population Trend by Region

Bird Conservation Regions are the ecological unit for trends.

White-crowned Pigeon population trend by Bird Conservation Region.
Peninsular Florida-79%19689

White-crowned Pigeon Conservation Status

Our route-weighted index shows it down about 81% since 1968.

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-05-22. Trend is a route-weighted relative-abundance index, not an absolute population.