Woodpigeons have a mixed reception from people, some regard them as pests, that steal from the bird feeder, the valuable seed put out for the small birds, while others in towns and cities go out of their way to feed them in parks and gardens.
They do not do much good for farmers and gardeners. Eating plants, seeds, and anything else you care to set. However to others they are a beautiful, large bird that can be tamed, and feed from close range, showing off his shiny plumage of blues and greys and pinks. They may be seen regularly in large flocks in fields in the countryside.
They build shallow and flimsy nests, that are little more than see through platforms for the female to sit on her shiny pure white eggs. When hatched the young are called squabs, and the mother feeds them milk formed from fluid-filled cells in the crop lining and this is more nutritious than human or cow's milk.
Incubation
17 days
Clutch Size
2 eggs
Egg Weight
18.9 g
Egg Size
41x29 mm
First Record
7th Century
Habitat
Towns, woodland
Weight
450g
Wingspan
78 cm
Length
41 cm
Status in UK
Resident Breeder, Winter Visitor
Conservation Status UK
Green
Number in Britain
5 million
Number of broods
1 or 2
Fledging
33-34 days
First clutches laid
Late Feb
Age at First Breeding
1 year
Typical Lifespan
3 years
Maximum Recorded Age
17 years, 8 months