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Sunday 2 June 2024

Rock doves


I was interested in the recent postings on this site regarding feral pigeons [Columba livia] on the Pembrokeshire coast. I have just returned from the Outer Hebrides where I believe the only remaining near pure population of rock doves remains in the UK. The differences between rock doves and similar looking feral pigeons are a thinner bill, less white in the cere and a more rounded head profile in the rock dove. However the easiest way to differentiate appears to be a consistency to type in a flock situation.

I attach 2 photos to illustrate this.

Alastair Proud