A big, striking, heavyweight pigeon with boldly contrasted wings. In flight it appears heavy, deep-chested, small-headed, with long, rather broad wings and a broad tail. Flies up from ground or trees with a loud clatter; may sweep upwards, clap its wings and descend in a shallow glide.

Woodpigeons evoke mixed reactions: most people probably ignore them or dismiss them as just ‘pigeons’; sometimes, even in town parks where they are tame, they are regarded as pests. To farmers – and to many gardeners – they are undoubted pests. However, they really are splendid birds. Close up, even on bird tables in some areas, they are beautiful creatures: plump and shiny, their plumage patterns full of subtle variations on basic blue-greys, brownish-greys, and soft pinks. Distant flocks may number hundreds, even thousands, making a welcome sight in many open farming landscapes where there are relatively few birds, or against a winter sunset as they fly off to roost.