About the Yellow-eyed Pigeon
The yellow-eyed pigeon, pale-backed pigeon, yellow-eyed dove or yellow-eyed stock dove is a member of the family Columbidae. It breeds in southern Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan, north-east Iran and extreme north-west China. It winters in north-east Pakistan, Jammu and Kashmir and parts of Rajasthan. The bird has declined in numbers over the years, chiefly because of hunting, and it is listed as "vulnerable" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The yellow-eyed pigeon is a medium-sized pigeon growing to a length of about 30 cm (12 in) and a weight of 183 to 234 g (6.5 to 8.3 oz). It is mostly grey, with a slightly brownish tinge to the upper parts and a pinkish-purple sheen on the crown, throat and breast. The wing has a black bar and the tail has a diffuse dark band. The lower back, rump and underside of the wings are white or pale grey. There is bare area of yellowish skin around the eye, the iris is yellow, the beak is yellowish and the feet pink. This pigeon could be confused with the rock dove (C.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan.
When to see it
Peak activity in November · a variable species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Pale-capped PigeonColumba puniceaThis large 36–40.5 cm-long pigeon is all-dark chestnut brown with a contrasting pale crown.
Trocaz PigeonColumba trocazThe trocaz pigeon is a rather plain, dark grey bird 40–45 cm (15.7–17.7 in) long with a 68–74 cm (26.8–29.1 in) wingspan.
Western Bronze-naped PigeonColumba iriditorquesA medium sized bird, the western bronze-naped pigeon measures about 25 centimetres (9.8 in) in length.
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