Species · GBIF taxon 2495471
Stock Dove
Columba oenasAlso known as Stock Pigeon
Stock doves are quietly handsome woodland pigeons characterized by their iridescent green neck patches, deep amber eyes, and clean blue-grey plumage lacking the white rump or wing bars of their relatives. They are dedicated cavity nesters, often utilizing old woodpecker holes, hollow trees, and deep crevices in old buildings to raise their young. Their low, rhythmic, two-syllable cooing is a classic sound of mature European woodlands and parklands.
Cavity-NestingWoodlandPalearctic
Licensed referenceRon Knight from Seaford, East Sussex, United Kingdom / CC BY 2.0 · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Seeds
- Grains
- Acorns
Predators
- Eurasian Sparrowhawk
- Peregrine Falcon
- Pine Marten
ThreatsLoss of mature trees with nesting cavities, agricultural intensification, and competition for nest sites
HabitatsOpen woodlands, parklands, forest edges, and agricultural fields
Life span3 to 5 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyColumbidae
- SpeciesColumba oenas
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Listen for the call: Identify them by their deep, monotonous, double-noted cooing, which lacks the five-note rhythm of the woodpigeon.
- Check tree hollows: Look for them around mature trees with natural cavities or old woodpecker holes during the spring nesting season.
- Scan agricultural fields: Watch for mixed flocks feeding on stubble fields in autumn, where they associate with woodpigeons.
Nest Provider (c) hedera.baltica, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Predator (c) Stanislav Murashkin, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Stanislav Murashkin · cc-by
Close Relative (c) hedera.baltica, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Birds of Gilgit-Baltistan, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.