25-05-2025
Birds of Ireland: Woodpigeon
Woodpigeon | Colm coille | Columba palumbus
A woodpigeon is typically 40-42cm long with a wingspan of 75-80cm.
They are a common breeding species here and are found all year round in woodlands, farmland, and in gardens.
Woodpigeons are rook-sized — fat-looking with a small head; short, red legs; a pale yellow/pink beak; a pale cream iris; and an overall grey body.
Adult woodpigeons have white neck patches/crescents on their wings; and a pink-grey breast — their rump/lower back is a pale blue-grey; and their tail is grey with a black band, more clearly marked below.
Birds of Ireland: Woodpigeon
Juvenile and immature woodpigeon look like the adults but lack the white on their neck.
In flight a woodpigeon appears grey, with the white crescents on their wings visible. They have rapid wingbeats and can be mistaken for bird of prey.
In display they show a steep flight upwards, ending in loud wing claps and downward glide.
A woodpigeons voice is a loud cooing, sounding like Take two, John, take two; often repeated several times/may start in middle of phrase.
Juvenile and immature woodpigeon look like the adults but lack the white on their necks
Tip of the Week
Like many other things, bird conservation can begin at home. There are many things, at a personal or local level, that you can do to help birds in their daily lives:
1. Make your garden bird-friendly by planting suitable trees and plants such as berry bushes and by providing water, perhaps by making a permanent pond.
2. The plastic rings holding packs of beer or soft drink cans together can get caught around birds' necks and result in their suffering a long, slow, agonising death. Always cut up these plastic rings before throwing them in the bin and if you come across them bring them home or tear them up on the spot.
3. Discarded fishing line is another lethal trap for birds, so always cut the line up into small pieces before disposing of it in a waste bin. Also try to avoid using lead weights. Safe substitutes are available. Lost lead can find its way into Mute Swans and other wildfowl and poison them.
4. Under the Wildlife Acts, hedge-cutting in the Republic of Ireland is illegal between March 1 and August 31 each year, though some exceptions are allowed for, amongst others, reasons of road safety and agricultural operations. Please report any illegal hedge-cutting to the National Parks & Wildlife Service or your local authority.
F eatured in Birds of Ireland: A field guide By Jim Wilson, with photographs by Mark Carmody
Birds of Ireland: A field guide By Jim Wilson, with photographs by Mark Carmody
Jim Wilson is a wildlife writer, broadcaster, tour leader, and former chairman of BirdWatch Ireland. He has been involved in the study and conservation of birds in Ireland for more than 45 years, contributing to several major surveys and international projects.
Mark Carmody is an award-winning wildlife photographer, has a PhD in biochemistry and works as a European patent attorney.
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