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Common wood pigeon

Columba palumbus

Photo by sttweets
Published on Project Noah
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52.3615, 4.86275

Field Notes

Description:

The three Western European Columba pigeons, Common Wood Pigeon, Stock Pigeon, and Rock Pigeon, though superficially alike, have very distinctive characteristics; the Common Wood Pigeon may be identified at once by its larger size at 38–43 cm, and the white on its neck and wing. It is otherwise a basically grey bird, with a pinkish breast.
Juvenile birds do not have the white patches on either side of the neck. When they are about six 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.

Habitat:

Common in the Netherlands

Notes:

I tried to catch it in bright sunlight when leaving it's spot in the tree. The images shows the almost 'transparent' structure of a birds wing.

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PublishedSeptember 4, 2011

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