Bird Guide

Rock Dove vs Stock Dove

Rock Dove (Columba livia)

Rock Dove

Columba livia

Large354 gUrban

Millennia of domestication have greatly altered the rock dove in many regions. Domestic and Feral pigeons, which arose through selective breeding, not originating naturally, have significant variation in plumage from the natural wild birds. This wild type is endangered in many areas; the nominate subspecies C. l. livia persists most notably in the far north and west of Scotland, most strongly so in the Outer Hebrides. The adult of the nominate subspecies of the rock dove is 30 to 35 cm (12 to 14 in) long with a 62 to 68 cm (24 to 27 in) wingspan. Voice: The call is a soft, slightly wavering, coo "crruoo-u", similar to feral pigeons. Variations include an alarm call, a nest call, and noises made by juveniles. When displaying, songs are partly sexual, partly threatening. They are accompanied by an inflated throat, tail fanning, strutting, and bowing. The alarm call, given at sight of predators, is a grunt-like oorhh.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Rock Dove
Recorded by Sonothèque ADVL · Song · Arrondissement of Avranches (near Le Mont-Saint-Michel), Manche, Normandie, France · CC0
Photo: Dktue · CC0
Stock Dove (Columba oenas)

Stock Dove

Columba oenas

Medium291 gWoodland

The stock dove is 28–34 cm (11–13 in) long, with a wingspan of 60–66 cm (24–26 in) and a weight of 303–365 g in males, 286–290 g in females. The plumage is a blue-toned grey, with two short dark grey to blackish wingbars on the tertials and greater coverts, and a broad dark grey bar at the tip of the tail. The breast is lightly suffused pinkish-purple, and the sides of the neck have an iridescent patch varying between green and purple depending on the angle of incident light. The eyes are dark, and the bill pink with a yellow tip.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Stock Dove
Recorded by Sonothèque ADVL · Song · Bacilly, Manche, Normandie, France · CC0
Photo: Jaana Siitonen · CC BY 4.0

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Rock Dove and Stock Dove.