Hill Pigeon vs Nilgiri Wood Pigeon

Hill Pigeon

Columba rupestris

Medium245 gRocky

The hill pigeon is a stout-bodied pigeon, similar in size and general appearance to the rock dove (Columba livia) but mainly differentiated by its tail pattern which consists of a broad, white tail-band across the black tail. Other differences include a paler mantle and upper wings and a white patch on the back. In flight, the tail pattern is similar to the snow pigeon (Columba leuconota), but lacks the contrast between the head and neck in that species.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Dmitry Kulakov · CC BY 4.0

Nilgiri Wood Pigeon

Columba elphinstonii

Large379 gForest

This pigeon appears dark grey and a black and white patterned patch made of white tipped stiff feathers on the back of the neck is distinctive. The mantle is chestnut. The male has a paler grey crown while the female has a darker grey crown with a pale throat. The most confusable other species is the mountain imperial pigeon but that species has paler underwing coverts. The feet and the base of the bill are red.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recorded by Dipu Karuthedathu · Call · Kodaikanal, Dindigul, Tamil Nadu, India · CC BY-SA 3.0

Photo: Paulmathi Vinod · CC BY 4.0

Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Hill Pigeon and Nilgiri Wood Pigeon.