Tuesday 18 August 2009

Common Wood Pigeon (Columba palumbus)

OTHER NAMES: Wood Pigeon
Latin Etymology: Columba ("pigeon/dove") palumbus ("wood pigeon")

Adult Common Wood Pigeon (subspecies C. p. palumbus) at Harrow, London - May 2010

Featured Subspecies: Columba palumbus palumbus
Weight: 490g  /  Length: 38-44cm  /  Wingspan: 75-80cm
UK GREEN LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

One of the most widely spread species in the UK and the largest British pigeon. In cities it will probably be easier to approach closer for photography purpose, as, like with most species, it tends to be tamer in the city than countryside. They do sometimes frequent bird-tables, often shoving off every other bird, but really they are common and bold enough that you probably don't even need that to get good views.  In the winter, the may gather in large flocks on fields.

Related Species:
Order: Columbiformes
Family: Columbidae
Genus: Columba
Subspecies: C. p. azorica, C. p. maderensis, C. p. excelsa, C. p. palumbus, C. p. iranica, C. p. casiotis   

- Sighting Locations -
UNITED KINGDOM - Abundant breeding resident (5,400,000 pairs)
 - Seen in virtually every location including Rutland WaterTrevose HeadRainham MarshesRegent's ParkKensington GardensPitsford ReservoirDitchford Gravel Pits and Eyebrook Reservoir and Geddington.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red ListRSPBWikipedia, Xeno-canto

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