Distribution

Chilean Pigeon occurs in Chile and southwestern Argentina. In Chile it occurs from Coquimbo south to Aisén (Jaramillo 2003), and in Argentina in western Neuquén, Río Negro, and Chubut,, and in southwestern Santa Cruz (Meyer de Schauensee 1966, Fjeldså and Krabbe 1990).

Broadly speaking, Chilean Pigeon is resident, it but may undertake migrations or dispersal movements within its range. Johnson (1967), writing at a time when the population of Chilean Pigeon was much reduced, wrote that "formerly large numbers used to migrate northwards in August to the central provinces ... A few remained to breed". Lane (1897) also described movements (migrations?) into central Chile during the nonbreeding season.

Endemic to the Americas.

Chilean Pigeon occupies southern temperate forests, especially forests dominated by monkeypuzzle (Araucaria) or by southern beech (Nothofagus) (Johnson 1967, Fjeldså and Krabbe 1990). They also occur in a drier forests farther north, and will forage in agricultural fields and other open habitats near forest (Vasquez and Smonetti 1999, Cornelius et al. 2000, Cofre et al. 2007, Kelt et al. 2012).

Chilean Pigeon has gone a historical reduction in numbers through disease and habitat loss habitat through the deforestation of old-growth forests (Vasquez and Smonetti 1999, Cornelius et al. 2000, Cofre et al. 2007, Kelt et al. 2012), but the overall range of the species has not contracted.

None reported.