Key information
Stock doves are similar in plumage and size to rock doves/feral pigeons. They are largely blue-grey with an attractive iridescent bottle green band on the back of the neck and a pink chest. In flight, they show black edges to the wing and two partial black bands near their back. Unlike rock doves/feral pigeons they do not have pale rumps.
They are widely distributed in the UK, except for parts of northern Scotland and Ireland, with particularly high densities in the English Midlands and South West. Over half their European population is found in the UK.
What they eat:
Seeds.
Measurements:
- Length:
- 30-33cm
- Wingspan:
- 60-66cm
- Weight:
- 290-330g
Population:
- UK breeding:
- 260,000 territories
Identifying features:
Stock dove
