Common Wood-Pigeon Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesCommon Wood-Pigeon
Adult (White-necked)
A large pigeon with a gray head, grayish-brown upperparts, a lilac breast, an orange-red bill, and a bold white neck patch. Perched birds usually show at least a hint of white along the edge of the wing.
© James Kennerley / Macaulay LibraryEngland, June 20, 2019Adult (White-necked)
In flight, white wing markings and neck patches are visible at long distances. Note also the broad black band on the tail.
© Esme Rosen / Macaulay LibraryÎle-de-France, March 22, 2016Adult (White-necked)
A large pigeon with a lilac breast, gray head, white neck patch bordered by iridescent green, and brownish-gray wings with a large white patch.
© Josep del Hoyo / Macaulay LibraryCataluña, May 03, 2021Not all videos have sound
Juvenile (White-necked)
Juvenile is duller than adult and lacks a white neck patch.
© Mouser Williams / Macaulay LibrarySicilia, August 25, 2014Adult (Cinnamon-necked)
“Cinnamon-necked” Common Wood-Pigeons of Central Asia are similar to the “White-necked” birds in Europe, but have a cinnamon neck patch, rather than white.
© vijay kumar / Macaulay LibraryHimachal Pradesh, December 25, 2018Adult (White-necked)
Forages mainly on the ground, but also feeds on fruits and seeds in trees.
© Josep del Hoyo / Macaulay LibraryCataluña, September 07, 2019Not all videos have sound
Adult (White-necked)
Iridescent green neck feathers, adjacent to the white neck patch, are visible in good light. Mauve coloration is most intense on the breast, then fades to grayish white on the belly.
© Sue&Gary Milks / Macaulay LibraryRegion Hovedstaden, May 11, 2019Adult (Cinnamon-necked)
“Cinnamon-necked” Common Wood-Pigeons of Central Asia sport a cinnamon (rather than white) neck patch.
© Peyton Stone / Macaulay LibraryDushanbe, June 08, 2023Adult and juvenile
Both sexes care for young birds, which remain dependent for at least a week after fledging.
© Philip Steinhoff / Macaulay LibraryMecklenburg-Vorpommern, April 11, 2021Not all videos have sound
Adult (White-necked)
The white neck patch is bordered by iridescent green and purple feathers. Adult has a pale iris.
© Steve Kelling / Macaulay LibraryEngland, March 20, 2013Adult (White-necked)
Often forages in open agricultural areas.
© Ryan Schain / Macaulay LibraryConnaught, September 17, 2016Adult (White-necked)
Forages mainly on the ground, and often drinks from the edge of puddles and ponds.
© Josep del Hoyo / Macaulay LibraryAragón, July 25, 2021Not all videos have sound
Similar SpeciesRock Pigeon
(Feral Pigeon)
Feral Rock Pigeon is highly variable in appearance, but the most common variety (“wild-type”) has more extensive green and purple iridescence on the neck and two black wingbars visible at rest and in flight. Feral Rock Pigeon never shows the bold white (or cinnamon) neck patch of adult Common Wood-Pigeon.
© Luke Seitz / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, February 01, 2014Similar SpeciesRock Pigeon
(Feral Pigeon)
In flight, wild-type Feral Rock Pigeon shows two black wingbars, and not the strong white wing bands of Common Wood-Pigeon.
© Rob Bielawski / Macaulay LibraryVirginia, January 30, 2016Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
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