Stock Pigeon
Encyclopedia
The Stock Dove or Stock Pigeon (Columba oenas) is a species of bird
in the Columba
genus in the Columbidae family. It is a member of the family Columbidae, dove
s and pigeons.
family Columbidae, doves and pigeons. The genus Columba
is the largest within the pigeon family, and has the widest distribution. Its members are typically pale grey or brown, often with white head or neck markings or iridescent green or purple patches on the neck and breast. The neck feathers may be stiffened and aligned to form grooves, absent in this species.
Stock pigeon is lesser gray plumage pigeon in Europe. It is also, the rarest of the wild european pigeons.
The three western European Columba
pigeons, though superficially alike, have very distinctive characteristics. The Wood Pigeon
may be readily distinguished by the white on its neck (in adults) and wings. The Rock Pigeon
and Stock Dove are more alike in size and plumage, but wild specimens of the former have a white rump and two well-marked dark bars on the wing, while the rump of the Stock Dove is grey and its wing bars incomplete. The feral pigeon
(the same species as Rock Pigeon
) is highly variable, and indistinctly marked grey specimens with the white rump missing can sometimes resemble the Stock Dove quite closely.
The Stock Dove is sociable as well as gregarious, often consorting with Wood Pigeons, though doubtless it is the presence of food which brings them together.
The short, deep, "grunting" Ooo-uu-ooh call is quite distinct from the modulated cooing notes of the Wood Pigeon; it is loud enough to be described, somewhat fancifully, as "roaring".
In part of its Europe
an and western Asia
tic range the Stock Dove is a migrant. This is in sharp decline in France (- 57% in 1976), although not considered threatened in Europe, where it is nevertheless classified in Schedule 2 to the Birds Directive
and Annex III the Berne Convention
the number of wintering birds in France would be 100 000 to 200 000 stock pigeons .
The nest is usually in a hole in an old tree. Before start logging, stock dove was the most frequent pigeon, nesting mostly in oak or pine wood, but as it usually nesting cavities in the trees only found in old forests, transformed into timber estates, there are not no holes to nest, so it has been scarce. In addition the stock dove needs a second hole for another incubation. They have been found even in rabbit burrow, ruins where cracks will facilitate breeding and preserved boundaries of old poplars with numerous cavities in which to build the nest, also a crack in a rock face, in ivy, or in the thick growth round the boles of common lime (linden) trees. It will also use nest box
es. Typical inhabitant of extensive agricultural land, the hole to nest must should have the depth of an arm, must be the entrance hole large enough to permit the passage of the fist. The stock dove needs a hole for every incubation. Though nesting material is seldom used, chickens leaves the hole very greasy. Stock pigeons prefer nest close together. Stock pigeons out of the incubation time, sleep at night in hole.
The haunts of the Stock Dove are in more or less open country, for though it often nests in trees it prefers parkland
s to thick wood
s. It is also common on coasts where the cliffs provide holes. Its flight is quick, performed by regular beats, with an occasional sharp flick of the wings, characteristic of pigeons in general.
It perches well, and in nuptial display walks along a horizontal branch with swelled neck, lowered wings, and fanned tail. During the circling spring flight the wings are smartly cracked like a whip.
Most of its food is vegetable; young shoots and seedlings are favoured, and it will take grain as well as insects and snails. Feed mostly on acorns and pine seeds with a large proportion of shoots, leaves, insects, small snails and other mollusks. It feeds on seeds, acorns, berries, bay berries, hawthorn berries, figs, cereal grains, beans, peas, and small invertebrates that obtained while walking on the floor. In his autumn migration in October, this pigeons stopping at places with an abundance of acorns, supplementing the diet with shoots and leaves.
Therefore, "Stock Dove" means "a dove which lives in hollow trees". Such hollow trees near human settlements would often be taken and used as wood stock for firewood, hence the name.
Bird
Birds are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic , egg-laying, vertebrate animals. Around 10,000 living species and 188 families makes them the most speciose class of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from...
in the Columba
Columba (genus)
The large bird genus Columba comprises a group of medium to large stout-bodied pigeons, often referred to as the typical pigeons. The terms "dove" and "pigeon" are used indiscriminately for smaller and larger Columbidae, respectively...
genus in the Columbidae family. It is a member of the family Columbidae, dove
Dove
Pigeons and doves constitute the bird family Columbidae within the order Columbiformes, which include some 300 species of near passerines. In general terms "dove" and "pigeon" are used somewhat interchangeably...
s and pigeons.
Description
Stock pigeon is a member of the birdBird
Birds are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic , egg-laying, vertebrate animals. Around 10,000 living species and 188 families makes them the most speciose class of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from...
family Columbidae, doves and pigeons. The genus Columba
Columba (genus)
The large bird genus Columba comprises a group of medium to large stout-bodied pigeons, often referred to as the typical pigeons. The terms "dove" and "pigeon" are used indiscriminately for smaller and larger Columbidae, respectively...
is the largest within the pigeon family, and has the widest distribution. Its members are typically pale grey or brown, often with white head or neck markings or iridescent green or purple patches on the neck and breast. The neck feathers may be stiffened and aligned to form grooves, absent in this species.
Stock pigeon is lesser gray plumage pigeon in Europe. It is also, the rarest of the wild european pigeons.
The three western European Columba
Columba (genus)
The large bird genus Columba comprises a group of medium to large stout-bodied pigeons, often referred to as the typical pigeons. The terms "dove" and "pigeon" are used indiscriminately for smaller and larger Columbidae, respectively...
pigeons, though superficially alike, have very distinctive characteristics. The Wood Pigeon
Wood Pigeon
The Wood Pigeon is a species of bird in the Columba genus in the Columbidae family. It is a member of the dove and pigeon family Columbidae.- Distribution :...
may be readily distinguished by the white on its neck (in adults) and wings. The Rock Pigeon
Rock Pigeon
The Rock Dove or Rock Pigeon, is a member of the bird family Columbidae . In common usage, this bird is often simply referred to as the "pigeon"....
and Stock Dove are more alike in size and plumage, but wild specimens of the former have a white rump and two well-marked dark bars on the wing, while the rump of the Stock Dove is grey and its wing bars incomplete. The feral pigeon
Feral Pigeon
Feral pigeons , also called city doves, flying rats, city pigeons or street pigeons, are derived from domestic pigeons that have returned to the wild. The domestic pigeon was originally bred from the wild Rock Pigeon, which naturally inhabits sea-cliffs and mountains. All three types readily...
(the same species as Rock Pigeon
Rock Pigeon
The Rock Dove or Rock Pigeon, is a member of the bird family Columbidae . In common usage, this bird is often simply referred to as the "pigeon"....
) is highly variable, and indistinctly marked grey specimens with the white rump missing can sometimes resemble the Stock Dove quite closely.
The Stock Dove is sociable as well as gregarious, often consorting with Wood Pigeons, though doubtless it is the presence of food which brings them together.
The short, deep, "grunting" Ooo-uu-ooh call is quite distinct from the modulated cooing notes of the Wood Pigeon; it is loud enough to be described, somewhat fancifully, as "roaring".
Ecology
Stock pigeon is a forest cave-nesting in sharp decline, by habitat loss combined with hunting pressure.In part of its Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an and western Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
tic range the Stock Dove is a migrant. This is in sharp decline in France (- 57% in 1976), although not considered threatened in Europe, where it is nevertheless classified in Schedule 2 to the Birds Directive
Birds Directive
The Birds Directive is a European Union directive adopted in 2009. It replaces Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds which was modified several times and had become very unclear...
and Annex III the Berne Convention
Berne Convention
Berne Convention may refer to:* Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works* Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats* The Treaty of Bern, establishing the General Postal Union...
the number of wintering birds in France would be 100 000 to 200 000 stock pigeons .
The nest is usually in a hole in an old tree. Before start logging, stock dove was the most frequent pigeon, nesting mostly in oak or pine wood, but as it usually nesting cavities in the trees only found in old forests, transformed into timber estates, there are not no holes to nest, so it has been scarce. In addition the stock dove needs a second hole for another incubation. They have been found even in rabbit burrow, ruins where cracks will facilitate breeding and preserved boundaries of old poplars with numerous cavities in which to build the nest, also a crack in a rock face, in ivy, or in the thick growth round the boles of common lime (linden) trees. It will also use nest box
Nest box
A nest box, also spelled nestbox is a man-made box provided for animals to nest in. Nest boxes are most frequently utilized for wild and domesticated birds, in which case they are also called birdhouses, but some mammalian species may also use them. Birdhouses are the most common types of nest...
es. Typical inhabitant of extensive agricultural land, the hole to nest must should have the depth of an arm, must be the entrance hole large enough to permit the passage of the fist. The stock dove needs a hole for every incubation. Though nesting material is seldom used, chickens leaves the hole very greasy. Stock pigeons prefer nest close together. Stock pigeons out of the incubation time, sleep at night in hole.
The haunts of the Stock Dove are in more or less open country, for though it often nests in trees it prefers parkland
Parkland
Parkland or Parklands may refer to:* A park* Aspen parkland, a biome transitional between prairie and boreal forest * Landscaped parkland, a managed rural area associated with European country houses such as Longleat-Place names:United States...
s to thick wood
Woodland
Ecologically, a woodland is a low-density forest forming open habitats with plenty of sunlight and limited shade. Woodlands may support an understory of shrubs and herbaceous plants including grasses. Woodland may form a transition to shrubland under drier conditions or during early stages of...
s. It is also common on coasts where the cliffs provide holes. Its flight is quick, performed by regular beats, with an occasional sharp flick of the wings, characteristic of pigeons in general.
It perches well, and in nuptial display walks along a horizontal branch with swelled neck, lowered wings, and fanned tail. During the circling spring flight the wings are smartly cracked like a whip.
Most of its food is vegetable; young shoots and seedlings are favoured, and it will take grain as well as insects and snails. Feed mostly on acorns and pine seeds with a large proportion of shoots, leaves, insects, small snails and other mollusks. It feeds on seeds, acorns, berries, bay berries, hawthorn berries, figs, cereal grains, beans, peas, and small invertebrates that obtained while walking on the floor. In his autumn migration in October, this pigeons stopping at places with an abundance of acorns, supplementing the diet with shoots and leaves.
Etymology
The common name Stock Dove has caused some confusion about the origins of this bird. The modern usage of the word "stock" might imply that the bird has been tamed and kept as stock for food and merchandise, leading to the belief that this bird is a hybrid breed with its origins in human aviaries; however this is not the case. The word "Stock" in the common name of this species refers not to the stock of trade, but comes from the Old English "stocc" meaning "stump, post, stake, tree trunk, log,".Therefore, "Stock Dove" means "a dove which lives in hollow trees". Such hollow trees near human settlements would often be taken and used as wood stock for firewood, hence the name.