large sized body; purplish hued plumage (Northern Ireland; 2008-09-10)


Common Wood Pigeon
Columba palumbus

Native Range: Eurasia

Notes: a large pigeon best told by the large white patch on its neck; issues a soothing coo-coo-coo, coo-coo; flight is fast and direct; inhabits wooded country but also found in urban parks; no sexual dimorphism.

large white patch on neck; light-colored iris (Northern Ireland; 2008-09-10)
yellowish bil; plain upperparts (Northern Ireland; 2008-09-10)

flight swift and strong (Luxembourg; 2007-10-22)
note the squared-off tail (Luxembourg; 2007-10-22)

dorsal view; white neck patch is prominent (Luxembourg; 2007-10-22)
adult in flight (Poland; 2012-05-30)

juvenile; lacks the white neck patch (Poland; 2012-05-30)
adult facing right; white neck patch is prominent (Poland; 2012-05-30)

adult facing left; white neck patch is prominent (Poland; 2012-05-30)