Stock Dove
Columba oenas
The Stock Dove (Columba oenas) is a common doves and pigeon found in 66 countries, weighing about 291 g. The stock dove is a species of bird in the family Columbidae, the doves and pigeons.
About the Stock Dove
The stock dove is a species of bird in the family Columbidae, the doves and pigeons. It is widely distributed in the western Palearctic, north to central Scandinavia and south to northwest Africa. Western and southern populations are resident, while northeastern populations are migratory to avoid the colder winters there. It is the type species of the genus Columba.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
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.
What the Stock Dove sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Oman, Palestinian Territories, Andorra, Malta.
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, with peak activity in April. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Stock Dove?
- 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. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Stock Dove?
- The Stock Dove is a medium sized bird weighing about 291 g.
- Where can you see a Stock Dove?
- The Stock Dove occurs in 66 countries, including Sweden, the United Kingdom, France, Belgium and Germany.
- What does a Stock Dove sound like?
- You can listen to 3 field recordings of the Stock Dove on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Stock Dove?
- The Stock Dove is most easily confused with the Speckled Pigeon, the African Olive Pigeon and the White-headed Pigeon.
- Is the Stock Dove endangered?
- The Stock Dove is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Stock Dove for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
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