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Woodpigeon

Columba palumbus

A familiar sight in gardens and parks worldwide, this plump, gentle bird is known for its soft cooing and distinctive white neck patch.
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Visual Identification

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

The Woodpigeon can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Woodpigeon can be found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Woodpigeon is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Woodpigeon is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Woodpigeon can be found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Woodpigeon can be found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Woodpigeon is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Woodpigeon is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Woodpigeon is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Woodpigeon is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Woodpigeon is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Woodpigeon is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

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

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Woodpigeon. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

  • Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
  • Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
  • This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

  • More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
  • How birds move around during different seasons