| The Wood Pigeon is Europe's largest pigeon and is the most
common pigeon found in the United Kingdom. Both sexes are similar with plump
bodies and small heads. They are largely grey but have pink breasts and
white, purple and green neck patches. There is a dark band on the tail and
white wing bars, conspicuous in flight. Once a bird of deciduous woodland,
the Wood Pigeon extended its range across open farmland nesting in hedges
and small copses and becoming a serious farmland pest, feeding not only
on grain but on other crops such as peas and sprouts. It has successfully
invaded town parks and city gardens and will happily visit bird tables.
Because of their mainly vegetable diet they drink a lot as they do not get
sufficient moisture from their food unlike birds who take insects, earthworms
etc. They feed their young on what is commonly known as 'pigeon's milk'
which is a fluid manufactured in the adult's crop. The young lack the white
neck patch and are duller and browner. When disturbed they crash out of
cover clapping their wings louder. |
