Common Wood Pigeon

Columba palumbus

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88 recent observations

Brief #

An overall grey bird with green and white patches and a pinkish patch on thier chest.

Sounds #

Song

Synonyms #

  • Paloma torcaz común (Spanish)
  • Pombo torcaz (Galician)

Red List Status #

The Common Wood Pigeon is unlikely to become extinct in the near future.
Find out more about IUCN's Red List program here

Description #

Adult birds bear a series of green and white patches on their necks, and a pink patch on their chest. The eye colour is a pale yellow, in contrast to that of rock doves, which is orange-red, and the stock pigeon, which is black. Juvenile birds do not have the white patches on either side of the neck. When they are about 6 months old (about three months out of the nest) they gain small white patches on both sides of the neck, which gradually enlarge until they are fully formed when the bird is about 6–8 months old (approx. ages only). Juvenile birds also have a greyer beak and an overall lighter grey appearance than adult birds.

Measurements #

Length: 38 - 45 cm
Wingspan: 68 - 80 cm
Weight: 300 - 615 g

Similar species #