Stock dove

The stock dove (Columba oenas) is a species of bird in the family Columbidae, the doves and pigeons. It is widely distributed in the western Palearctic, north to central Scandinavia and south to northwest Africa. Western and southern populations are resident, while northeastern populations are migratory to avoid the colder winters there. It is the type species of the genus Columba.

The stock dove is 28–34 cm (11–13 in) long, with a wingspan of 60–66 cm (24–26 in) and a weight of 303–365 g in males, 286–290 g in females. The plumage is a blue-toned grey, with two short dark grey to blackish wingbars on the tertials and greater coverts, and a broad dark grey bar at the tip of the tail. The breast is lightly suffused pinkish-purple, and the sides of the neck have an iridescent patch varying between green and purple depending on the angle of incident light. The eyes are dark, and the bill pink with a yellow tip. The male and female are indistinguishable on plumage, though males are slightly larger; juveniles are also similar, but lack the iridescent neck patch. In flight, the grey wings show a dark trailing edge; the underwing is also dark grey, unlike the white underwing of the rock dove. The short, deep, "grunting" Ooo-uu-ooh call is quite distinct from the modulated cooing notes of the common wood pigeon.

The stock dove is in the genus Columba in the pigeon family, the members of which are typically pale grey or brown, sometimes with white head or neck markings and usually with iridescent green or purple patches on the neck and breast. The neck feathers may be stiffened and aligned to form grooves, but these are less obvious in this species. The three western European Columba pigeons have distinctive characteristics. The common wood pigeon may be readily distinguished by its large size, pale yellow eyes, as well as the white on its neck (in adults) and wings. The rock dove and stock dove are more alike in size and plumage, but wild specimens of the former have brighter eyes, a white rump and two well-marked dark bars on the wing, while the rump of the stock dove is grey and its wing bars incomplete.

The stock dove is sociable as well as gregarious, often consorting with wood pigeons and occasionally with rock doves.