Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur, newly fledged juvenile perched on branch, Titchwell RSPB Nature Reserve

Pigeons and doves

There is no strict division between pigeons and doves, which share certain features.

These features include their small, rounded heads, small, slim bills with a small fleshy patch at the base, rounded bodies with dense, soft feathers, tapered wings and short, scaly legs, and cooing or crooning calls. The wild rock dove has long been domesticated and ‘escaped’ to live wild as the familiar town pigeon. There are many species all over the world.

Collared Dove

Collared dove

Collared doves are a pale, pinky-brown grey colour, with a distinctive black neck collar (as the name suggests).

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Rock dove

Rock dove

The wild rock dove is now found only along the north and west coasts of Scotland, on offshore islands, and on Northern Ireland coasts.

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Stock dove

Stock dove

Stock doves are similar to rock doves/feral pigeons. They are largely blue-grey with an iridescent bottle green band on the back of the neck.

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Turtle dove illustration

Turtle dove

The turtle dove is a dainty dove, it has become increasingly rare following rapid and sustained population declines.

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Woodpigeon illustration

Woodpigeon

Wood pigeons are our largest and commonest pigeon. They have small, round, grey heads, white neck patches, a pink breast, and greyish bodies.

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