Far Beyond Bushmeat: A Review of the Hunting and Uses of Neotropical Columbids

Hunting and the use of wild columbids are widely documented practices across the Neotropical region, associated with multiple forms of utilization, harvesting pressures, and conservation implications. Our study represents the first systematic literature review focused on the uses and trade of Neotropical Columbiformes. Data were obtained from articles, books, book chapters, theses, dissertations, and technical reports indexed in Science Direct, Scirus, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science. A total of 49 species belonging to 10 genera were recorded, distributed across 23 countries. The genera Patagioenas, Geotrygon, and Columbina comprised the highest species richness. The main uses identified were for food, followed by commercial/pet, medicinal, magico-religious, and artisanal purposes. Among the most frequently reported species were Zenaida auriculata and Leptotila verreauxi, both documented in more than ten countries. Ten capture techniques were recorded, with slingshots and firearms being the most prevalent. Brazil, Mexico, and Peru showed the highest number of records. Our findings indicate that hunting and trade affect a broader set of species than currently acknowledged in global assessments, revealing a significant yet underestimated pressure. This scenario underscores the need for integrated strategies that combine sustainable use, community-based management, and economic alternatives—such as birdwatching tourism—to mitigate unsustainable exploitation and ensure the conservation of Neotropical columbids. Furthermore, the results highlight the importance of strengthening public policies, expanding educational initiatives, and promoting continuous research capable of informing evidence-based and regionally coherent conservation decision-making