Relatives of the Rock dove, Street or feral pigeons are the wild descendants of domestic breeds that have escaped.
Feeding:- Will eat grain, seeds, bread or any other scraps it can find.
Nest:- Twig nest built on ledges or in holes. Will also use large enclosed nest boxes or dovecotes.
Nest:- Builds a platform of twigs usually in a tree.
Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto)
Length 32 cm
Although now quite a common sight in Britain, the collared dove only arrived in this country in the 1950s from south eastern Europe. Prefers to live near humans where it can easily find food.
Feeding:- Mainly seeds, but also fruit such as elderberries. Will occasionally eat snails, caterpillars etc. Eats seed, grain, bread and other scraps from the bird table.
Unlike other birds, the pigeon can suck water and is often seen drinking from bird baths.
Wood Pigeon (Columba palumbus)
Length 40 cm
Farmers consider the Wood Pigeon a pest in the countryside as it eats their crops. In the garden it will often clear up the seed on the ground left by smaller birds, discarded from seed feeders.
Feeding:- Eats acorns, beech nuts and other seeds. Will also eat peas and beans, brassicas and root vegetables as well as worms, insects and snails. In the garden it will eat seed, bread and other scraps from the ground.
Nest:- Platform of twigs built in a tree or sometimes on buildings.
