Wood Pigeons

By Charlie April 15, 2008 1 comment

Wood Pigeons Columba palumbis
Portland Bird Observatory, Dorset, UK. April 2008

 

The UK’s largest and commonest pigeon, the Wood Pigeon Columba palumbis is basically grey with a white neck patch and white wing patches which are clearly visible in flight. Although shy in the countryside (where it is commonly shot as a pest of crops) it can be tame and approachable in towns and cities, and has recently become a much more frequent - and bold - visitor to gardens. Its five-note cooing call - which can be transcribed as “coo-cooo coo cuk-cuk” - is a familiar sound throughout the UK, as is the loud diagnostic clatter of its wings when it flies away.

 


wood pigeon

wood pigeon

wood pigeon

wood pigeon

wood pigeon

 

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About the Author

Charlie

Charlie

Charlie works for an airline and has birded all over the world for twenty years. He wants to be a writer, and thinks no-one would believe his life could be so charmed if he didn't take photos of as many of the birds he sees as possible. Blogging with 10,000 Birds fits his aims, needs, and insecurities perfectly. Really - do birders get much more fortunate than this?

One Response to “Wood Pigeons”

  1. testing, testing

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