Columba palumbus
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.
Length
40cm to 45cm
Wingspan
75cm to 80cm
Weight
400g to 600g
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Grey Pink
Secondary Colour
White Green
Beak Colour
Pink
Leg Colour
Pink
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
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.
Up to 1,600 meters
Temperate, Mediterranean
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:
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