Common Wood Pigeon

The Wood Pigeon is the largest and most common pigeon in Europe. It has moved successfully from forests to urban gardens. It is a soft grey bird with a pinkish breast. Adults have a white patch on the side of the neck. Its most identifying feature is the broad white band on the wing. This is highly visible in flight.

Wood Pigeons produce a loud 'clattering' wing-beat when they take flight suddenly. Their song is a five-note rhythmic coo: 'coo-cooo-coo, coo-coo'. During the breeding season, males perform a soaring display flight. They clap their wings together and glide down. They are primarily herbivores and eat berries, seeds, and leaves.