Our largest and most common pigeon, the woodpigeon is a familiar bird of gardens, parks, woodlands and farmlands right across the country. Its husky 'hoo-hroo' call is a well-known sound of the country. It feeds on seeds, leaves, grains, fruit, peas and root crops and can become a serious agricultural pest in certain areas. The woodpigeon makes flimsy twig nests in trees, in which the female lays two eggs. Both sexes incubate and raise the young, feeding them on 'pigeon milk' - a regurgitated, milky substance from a food-storage organ called a 'crop'.
How to identify
Our largest pigeon, the woodpigeon is easily distinguished from the similar stock dove and feral pigeon by its pink breast, white neck patch and the white patches visible on its wings during flight.
Did you know?
As well as being a common resident, large numbers of woodpigeons migrate here from the continent in the autumn and winter.
How people can help
Whether you live in town or country, you can help to look after garden birds by providing food and water for them.
