Band-tailed Pigeon Population Status, 2011

This report summarizes information on the abundance and harvest of band-tailed pigeons (Patagioenas fasciata) in the western United States and British Columbia from 1968 through 2010. The all-bird Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) provides an annual index to abundance of Pacific Coast and Interior band-tailed pigeons since 1968, while the Mineral Site Survey (MSS), implemented in 2004, was developed specifically to index abundance of Pacific Coast band-tailed pigeons. Harvest and hunter participation are estimated from the Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program. The BBS provided evidence that the abundance of Pacific Coast band-tailed pigeons decreased (–2.6% per year, credible interval = –5.1 to –1.1) over the long term (1968–2010). Trends in abundance during the recent 10- and 5-year periods were inconclusive. The MSS, however, provided evidence that abundance decreased during the recent 7- (–8.1% per year CI = –15.2 to –2.0) and 5-year (–8.4% per year, CI = –14.3 to –3.1) periods. Current (2010) estimates of total harvest, active hunters, and total hunter days afield were 18,400 ± 4,224 (estimate ± SE) birds, 6,400 hunters, and 13,700 ± 2,307 days afield. Composition of harvest was 21.7% (73 of 336) hatching year birds during the 2010 season. For Interior band-tailed pigeons, the BBS provided evidence that abundance decreased (–4.3% per year, 95% CI = –8.2 to –1.4) over the long term (1968–2010). Trends in abundance during the recent 10- and 5-year periods were inconclusive. Current (2010) estimates of total harvest, active hunters, and total hunter days afield were 5,000 ± 1,582 birds, 4,100 hunters, and 13,600 ± 2,498 days afield. Harvest comprised 16.0% (4 of 25) hatching year birds during the 2010 season. Current estimates of the age-related vulnerability to harvest for these populations are unavailable