Page 236 - Complete Birds of Britain and Europe (DK - RSPB)

PIGEONS AND DOVES
Order Columbiformes Family Columbidae Species Columba palumbus
Woodpigeon

no white bold white
on neck patch on each
large white side of neck
patch across
midwings
grey back
duller, less
clean look
white
on wings
rump
paler than deep
back JUVENILE pink
ADULT breast
IN FLIGHT
dull red
legs
large, handsome, boldly dark band
Amarked pigeon, the on tail
Woodpigeon is wild and shy in ADULT
country areas where it is regularly
shot, but visits gardens and becomes surprisingly tame in
town parks where it is left undisturbed. It sometimes forms
huge flocks, becoming a dramatic part of the country scene FLIGHT: quick, direct, with even, strong, deep
in winter. In summer, its dreamy, cooing song is one of the wingbeats; takes off with powerful clatter when
typical sounds of woodland areas.Single birds in flight can surprised; flies in large flocks.
easily be mistaken for birds of prey,
but any reasonable view should
remove such confusion.
VOICE Husky, muffled cooing, oft-
repeated, coo-coo-cu, cu-coo, cook; loud
wing clatter.
NESTING Thin platform of twigs in
tree or bush; 2 eggs; 1 or 2 broods;
April–September (often autumn).
FEEDING Eats buds, leaves, berries,
and fruit in trees; also takes food FORAGING ON GROUND
from ground; feeds at bird-tables The Woodpigeon often forages for food on the ground,
where undisturbed. sometimes in flocks. It takes seeds, grain, and shoots.
OCCURRENCE
SIMILAR SPECIES Widespread except in Iceland and
N Scandinavia; summer visitor only
STOCK DOVE ROCK DOVE COLLARED DOVE in N and E Europe. Breeds in
see p.233 white rump; see p.235 variety of woodland and farmland
bluer no white see p.232 smaller
grey on wings smaller with trees, town parks, and big
or neck gardens. In winter, flocks feed on
open ground but farmland
smaller
remains most important.
shorter longer Seen in the UK
tail tail
J F M A M JJ A S O N D
Length 40–42cm (16–16 1 ⁄2in) Wingspan 75–80cm (30–32in) Weight 480–550g (17–20oz)
Social Large flocks Lifespan Up to 10 years Status Secure
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