Wood pigeon

Description:

The wood pigeon is the largest of the European Columbidae species. This large pigeon has bluish grey plumage overall, slightly duller on the wings. The primary flight feathers are black with whitish edges. We can see a white band on open wings and only a white stripe on the bend on closed wings. The tail is grey with white terminal band. On the underparts, the breast is mauve-pink, turning creamy-white on belly. Flanks are pale grey. The neck shows iridescent purple-pink and green feathers close to a white patch on the neck side. The head is bluish grey. The bill is pinkish-red at base and yellow at tip, with white cere. The eyes are greenish white to pale golden, with narrow grey eye-ring. Legs and feet are reddish. The female is similar but with smaller white neck patches and duller breast. The juvenile is duller and paler with pale rusty breast. It lacks neck patches and iridescences and its eyes are darker, mostly grey with yellow tinge.

Habitat:

The wood pigeon is found in almost all natural habitats, and also in man-altered areas. They favour well-wooded agricultural fields in lowlands and deciduous woodland edges, and usually avoid rocky and alpine habitats, treeless steppes and exposed coasts. However, the African races occur in mountainous areas and breed in wooded ravines. This species is now common in urban areas, city parks and large avenues.

Notes:

Spotted in urban area of Deventer, Holland. (sources:see reference)