Species Profile
Stock Dove
Columba oenas
Stock Dove
Quick Facts
Conservation
LCLeast ConcernAlso known as: Wood Dove
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Appearance
The Stock Dove is a medium-sized pigeon with predominantly blue-grey plumage. It features a distinctive green and pink iridescent patch on the side of its neck, and two partial black wing bars that distinguish it from the similar Wood Pigeon.
Females are similar to males, although they are slightly smaller, have less vibrant markings and their bills and legs are usually slightly darker. Both sexes have pinkish-red feet and dark eyes.
Juveniles lack the neck patch and have duller plumage overall, with a dark eye and greyish-pink feet.
Identification & Characteristics
Colors
- Primary
- Grey
- Secondary
- Pink
- Beak
- Red
- Legs
- Pink
Attributes
Understanding Attributes
Rated 0–100 based on research and observation. A score of 50 is average across all bird species. These attributes are relative and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Habitat & Distribution
Stock Doves inhabit open woodlands, parklands, and agricultural areas across much of Europe and western Asia. They prefer areas with a mix of trees for nesting and open ground for feeding.
In the UK, they are widespread residents, while northern populations may migrate south for winter. They are absent from Ireland and most of Scotland.
They are more wary of humans than feral pigeons and are not as commonly spotted in gardens or heavily urban areas.
Distribution
Where to See This Bird
Explore regional guides for locations where this bird has been recorded.
United Kingdom
England
Wales
Rutland
Cambridgeshire
Bedfordshire
Buckinghamshire
Cumbria
Berkshire
Bristol
Cheshire
Cornwall
Derbyshire
Devon
Dorset
Durham
East Riding of Yorkshire
Essex
East Sussex
Gloucestershire
Hampshire
Herefordshire
Hertfordshire
Isle of Wight
Kent
Merseyside
Lancashire
Leicestershire
Lincolnshire
London
Manchester
Northumberland
Norfolk
Northamptonshire
Nottinghamshire
North Yorkshire
Oxfordshire
South Yorkshire
Tyne and Wear
West Midlands
Suffolk
Shropshire
Somerset
Surrey
Staffordshire
Stockton-on-Tees
Warwickshire
Wiltshire
West Yorkshire
Worcestershire
West Sussex
Diet
Stock Doves primarily feed on seeds, including those of crops, weeds, and trees. Insects may also be occasionally eaten and foraged from the ground at the edge of woodlands, particularly during the breeding season.
They forage in fields and woodland edges, consuming a variety of plant matter. Unlike some other pigeon species, they rarely eat green leaves or buds.
Behaviour
Stock Doves are generally shy and less conspicuous than other pigeon species. They often forage on the ground in small flocks, quickly taking flight when disturbed.
During courtship, males perform a characteristic display flight, clapping their wings and gliding with wings held in a V-shape.
Calls & Sounds
Stock Doves are relatively quiet birds, except for during the breeding season. The call is a soft, deep 'ooo-oo-ooo', repeated at intervals. It's quieter and more muffled than the Wood Pigeon's cooing, often described as sounding like someone blowing across the top of a bottle.
During courtship, males produce a distinctive wing-clapping sound in flight.
Nesting & Breeding
Stock Doves form monogamous pairs and breed from March to October in most of their range. Males perform display flights and coo to attract females.
Unlike other pigeons, Stock Doves nest in cavities, typically in old trees, buildings, or cliff faces. They lay two glossy white eggs on a sparse nest of twigs and grass.
Both parents incubate the eggs for about 17 days. Chicks fledge after 28-30 days but may return to the nest for several more days. Pairs can raise up to three broods per year.
Conservation
While currently listed as Least Concern, Stock Doves face threats from agricultural intensification and loss of suitable nesting sites.
Conservation efforts focus on maintaining old trees with cavities and promoting wildlife-friendly farming practices to support their populations.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for Stock Doves in open woodlands and on farmland edges.
- Listen for their soft, rhythmic 'oo-oo-oo' call, distinct from the Wood Pigeon's cooing.
- Observe their swift, direct flight pattern and smaller size compared to Wood Pigeons.
- In the UK, check old trees or buildings for nesting pairs during breeding season.
Did You Know?
- Stock Doves are one of the few pigeon species that nest in cavities rather than on branches.
- Their name 'Stock' comes from their habit of nesting in the stocks (trunks) of trees.
- Despite their name, they are not closely related to Turtle Doves.
- More than half of the European population of the species resident in Britain
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