Woodpigeon
Least ConcernColumba palumbus
Visual Identification
Woodpigeon
Appearance
The Woodpigeon is a large, robust pigeon with a distinctive grey body and pink breast. Its most notable features are the white patches on the sides of its neck and the iridescent green and purple sheen on its nape.
Distinguishing between male and female Woodpigeoons is challenging, although the females are slightly smaller and slimmer. They also have less prominent white neck patches and duller breast plumage.
Adults have a pale pink bill and feet, while juveniles are duller in colour, lacking the neck patches and iridescence, rusty brown chests and blue (not yellow) eyes.
Size
Length
40cm to 45cm
Wingspan
75cm to 80cm
Weight
400g to 600g
Colours
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Grey Pink
Secondary Colour
White Green
Beak Colour
Pink
Leg Colour
Pink
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Woodpigeons are widely distributed across Europe, parts of North Africa, and western Asia. They thrive in a variety of habitats, including woodlands, farmlands, parks, and urban areas.
In the UK, they are common year-round residents, with numbers boosted by winter migrants from northern Europe. They have successfully adapted to urban environments, becoming a familiar sight in cities and towns.
Elevation Range
Up to 1,600 meters
Climate zones
Temperate, Mediterranean
Distribution Map
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Diet
Woodpigeons are omnivores and have a varied diet, primarily consisting of plant matter. They feed on various plant parts, including seeds, shoots, fruits, and leaves, and select the most abundant and nutritious food sources as they become available throughout the year.
Crops like peas and sprouts and grains like wheat, barley, maize and oats are energy-rich and readily available food sources, although they utilise a wide variety of weeds and native plant species, too.
They will eat insects and other invertebrates like earthworms opportunistically. In urban areas, they readily consume bread and other human food scraps.
Behaviour
Woodpigeons are known for their clumsy, noisy takeoffs and strong, direct flight. They often gather in large flocks to feed on the ground, particularly in agricultural areas.
These birds are relatively tame in urban settings, frequently seen in parks and gardens.
Vocalisation
The Woodpigeon's call is a distinctive, rhythmic cooing, often described as sounding like 'take two cows, Taffy' or ''My toe hurts Betty. This five-note phrase is repeated several times, with the emphasis on the second syllable: 'hoo HOO-hoo hoo-hoo'.
In urban areas, their cooing is a common dawn chorus sound.
Nesting & Breeding
Woodpigeons breed throughout the year, with peak activity from March to October. Males perform elaborate courtship displays, including wing-clapping flights and bowing on branches.
Nests are flimsy platforms of twigs, typically built in trees or large shrubs. However, they will also nest in other vegetation, on buildings, and sometimes even on the ground. Females usually lay two white eggs per clutch.
Both parents incubate the eggs for about 17 days. Chicks fledge after 28-32 days but may return to the nest for several days after their first flight.
Lifespan
The Woodpigeon typically lives for 3 years, with a maximum recorded lifespan of 17.7 years.
Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
The Woodpigeon is currently of Least Concern due to its large range and increasing population. However, it faces localised threats from hunting and agricultural changes.
Conservation efforts focus on maintaining suitable habitats and monitoring population trends.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for Woodpigeons in parks, gardens, and woodland edges
- Listen for their distinctive five-note cooing call
- Observe feeding flocks in open fields, especially during autumn
- In the UK, watch for their courtship displays in spring, involving wing-clapping flights
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Other names:
Common Wood Pigeon, Wood Pigeon, Ring Dove
Family:
ColumbidaePredators
Main predators include birds of prey such as goshawks and peregrine falcons, as well as foxes and domestic cats, particularly for young or nesting birds.
Did You Know?
- Woodpigeons can drink without tilting their head back, unlike most birds.
- They are one of the few birds that produce 'crop milk' to feed their young.
- In the UK, Woodpigeons are the largest and most common pigeon species.
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FAQs
Is a Woodpigeon the same as a pigeon?
The Woodpigeon is just one of five wild pigeon and dove species in the UK. They are the largest and commonest pigeon in most habitats.
Are Woodpigeons a pest?
Woodpigeons are considered an agricultural pest species due to their habit of feeding on grain and vegetable crops. They may cause significant localised damage at times of the year when they gather in large flocks.
Do Woodpigeons make good pets?
Pigeons and doves are known to make lovely pets, and there’s no reason to think a tame Woodpigeon would be any exception. However, keeping a domesticated bird like a fancy pigeon or Diamond Dove as a pet would be far more practical.
Do rats eat Woodpigeons?
Rats do not eat live adult Woodpigeons, although they are known to feed on their eggs, and they may feed on young chicks.
Can you shoot Woodpigeons in your garden UK?
In England, Woodpigeons are covered by a general licence that makes their lethal control legal under certain circumstances. They may be shot only if they pose a legitimate risk of spreading disease among livestock, eating their feedstuffs, or damaging crops.
Consult with Natural England and any relevant departments for more information before shooting any wild birds.
Similar Birds
References
- 2 3
website: BirdLife International. 2018. Columba palumbus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T22690103A131924602.
View source - 4
report, 2015: EBCC
- 1
website, 2010: Fransson et al., EURING list of longevity records for European birds
View source