Common Woodpigeon (Columba palumbus)

Common Woodpigeon (Columba palumbus) in Geneva, Switzerland. March 2016. Not baited. Not called in.

The Common Woodpigeon (Columba palumbus) is for me the most beautiful species in the Columbidae family we have here in Geneva. The details and colors are stunning. The white patches on the neck are distinctive of the adults.

When in flight, you can easily recognize the Common Woodpigeon thanks to the white band on each wing. Also, their display flight is absolutely wonderful. The bird climbs, claps its wings (generally twice, which makes a typical sound allowing you sometimes to hear them before you see them), and glides down on stiff wings.

Common Woodpigeons can be spotted alone, in a small group, or in big flocks, as you can see on the picture below.

Flock of Common Woodpigeons (Columba palumbus) flying above Lake Geneva, Switzerland. December 2012. Not baited. Not called in.

According to Vogelwarte.ch, there were 60'000 - 90'000 pairs in the period 2008-2012 in Switzerland.

JAG