Common Woodpigeon Columba palumbus
Woodpigeon, Edinburgh, Scotland, June 2002 - click for larger image Scotland and England

The Common Woodpigeon is the largest European pigeon and is readily identified on the ground by the white patch on the side of the neck and, in flight, by the conspicuous white bands on the wings. Juveniles do not acquire the white neck patches nor the iridescent blue-green colour on the nape until the last few months of the year.

See the distribution map at Birdlife International.

Woodpigeon, Edinburgh, Scotland, June 2002 - click for larger image Photos 4 and 5 show a Juvenile which was still being fed by one of its parents (probably the male since the female should be off preparing for her next brood.) The 3rd photo shows the juvenile feeding from the parent. The rather charming pose of a wing over the shoulder of the parent is one of the juvenile's begging movements where it beats its wing against the parent's back. The parent then regurgitates food to the youngster.
Woodpigeon, Edinburgh, Scotland, June 2002 - click for larger image Photos 6 to 9 show the progress of chicks in the same nest. Photo 6 was probably on day 13; photo 7 on day 17; photo 8 on day 24 and photo 9 on day 28. It's amazing how quickly they grow.
Woodpigeon, Edinburgh, Scotland, June 2002 - click for larger image
Woodpigeon, Edinburgh, Scotland, June 2002 - click for larger image
Woodpigeon, Monks Eleigh, Suffolk, England, September 2016 - click for larger image
Woodpigeon, Monks Eleigh, Suffolk, England, September 2016 - click for larger image
Woodpigeon, Monks Eleigh, Suffolk, England, September 2016 - click for larger image
Woodpigeon, Monks Eleigh, Suffolk, England, September 2016 - click for larger image
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