Focus on... Stock Dove
18 Apr 2017
Five pigeon species are regularly recorded in Britain and Ireland, with Woodpigeon, Collared Dove and Rock Dove (and the domesticated Feral Pigeon) familiar to birders and most non-birders. Due to ongoing declines, Turtle Dove is now mainly encountered in eastern Britain or as a migrant. The fifth species, Stock Dove, can be easy to overlook as it frequently associates with large flocks of Woodpigeons in farmland areas. The lack of white wing patches on Stock Dove is one way to identify it in these flocks.
Stock Dove is the only pigeon species in the region to nest in tree cavities, and April is a good month to hear singing birds in broadleaf woods. While the Bird Atlas 2007–11 showed some declines in the west of the range, Stock Dove has increased in eastern Britain.
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