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Showing posts with label COMMON WOOD PIGEON (Columba palumbus). Show all posts
Showing posts with label COMMON WOOD PIGEON (Columba palumbus). Show all posts

Thursday, 21 July 2016

21-7-2016 VILLALONGA RESERVOIR - COMMON WOOD PIGEON (Columba palumbus)


Population size
51-73 Mlnlnn
Life Span
3-17 years
Weight
300-615
goz
g oz 
Length
38-44.5
cminch
cm inch 
Wingspan
68-80
cminch
cm inch 

The Common wood pigeon (Columba palumbus) is a member of the dove and pigeon family (Columbidae), native to the western Palearctic. It has historically been known as the Ring dove, and is locally known in southeast England as the "culver"; the latter name has given rise to several areas known for keeping pigeons to be named after it, such as Culver Down.

The Common wood pigeon is a large member of the dove and pigeon family. Adult birds bear a series of green and white patches on their necks and a pink patch on their chest. Juvenile birds do not have white patches on either side of the neck. When they are about six months old they gain small white patches on both sides of the neck; these patches gradually enlarge until they are fully formed when the bird is about 6-8 months old. Juvenile birds also have a greyer beak and an overall lighter grey appearance than adults.

Tuesday, 24 May 2016

23-5-2016 - LA SAFOR, VALENCIA - COMMON WOOD PIGEON (Columba palumbus)


The common wood pigeon (Columba palumbus), also known as simply wood pigeon, is a large species in the dove and pigeon family (Columbidae), native to the western Palearctic. It belongs to the genus Columba, which includes closely related species such as the rock dove (Columba livia). It has a flexible diet, predominantly feeding on vegetable matter, including cereal crops, leading to them being regarded as an agricultural pest. Wood pigeons are extensively hunted over large parts of their range, but this does not seem to have a great impact on their population.

In the colder northern and eastern parts of Europe and western Asia the common wood pigeon is a migrant, but in southern and western Europe it is a well distributed and often abundant resident. In Great Britain wood pigeons are commonly seen in parks and gardens and are seen with increasing numbers in towns and cities.


Its flight is quick, performed by regular beats, with an occasional sharp flick of the wings, characteristic of pigeons in general. It takes off with a loud clattering. It perches well, and in its nuptial display walks along a horizontal branch with swelled neck, lowered wings, and fanned tail. During the display flight the bird climbs, the wings are smartly cracked like a whiplash, and the bird glides down on stiff wings. The common wood pigeon is gregarious, often forming very large flocks outside the breeding season. Like many species of pigeon, wood pigeons take advantage of trees and buildings to gain a vantage point over the surrounding area, and their distinctive call means that they are usually heard before they are seen.

Wood pigeons are known to fiercely defend their territory, and will fight each other to gain access to nesting and roosting locations. Male wood pigeons will typically attempt to drive competitors off by threat displays and pursuit, but will also directly fight, jumping and striking their rival with both wings.

This species can be an agricultural pest, and it is often shot, being a legal quarry species in most European countries. It is wary in rural areas, but often quite tame where it is not persecuted.

Wednesday, 30 March 2016

30-3-2016 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - COMMON WOOD PIGEON (Columba palumbus)


The Common wood pigeon (Columba palumbus) is a member of the dove and pigeon family (Columbidae), native to the western Palearctic. It has historically been known as the Ring dove, and is locally known in southeast England as the "culver"; the latter name has given rise to several areas known for keeping pigeons to be named after it, such as Culver Down.

The Common wood pigeon is a large member of the dove and pigeon family. Adult birds bear a series of green and white patches on their necks and a pink patch on their chest. Juvenile birds do not have white patches on either side of the neck. When they are about six months old they gain small white patches on both sides of the neck; these patches gradually enlarge until they are fully formed when the bird is about 6-8 months old. Juvenile birds also have a greyer beak and an overall lighter grey appearance than adults.



Common wood pigeons occur in Europe, Asia, and northern Africa. In the colder northern and eastern parts of Europe and western Asia they are migrants, but in southern and western Europe populations are often abundant residents. Wood pigeons inhabit deciduous or coniferous woodlands, shrubland, and cultivated areas. They are also commonly seen in parks, gardens, towns, and cities.



Population size
51-73 Mlnlnn
Life Span
3-17 years
Weight
300-615
goz
g oz 
Length
38-44.5
cminch
cm inch 
Wingspan
68-80
cminch