
Photo: jim.gifford · CC BY-SA 2.0
Columba oenas
Habitat
Holes in old trees; also nest boxes
Size
28–34cm
Wingspan
60–66cm
Weight
Males 303–365g, females 286–290g
The stock dove is the type species of the pigeon genus Columba, 28–34cm long with a wingspan of 60–66cm. The plumage is blue-toned grey with two short, dark wingbars and a broad dark bar at the tail tip, the eyes are dark and the bill pink with a yellow tip (Wikipedia, general species account).
Western and southern populations are resident, while north-eastern populations migrate to avoid the colder winters. The short, deep, grunting call is distinct from the cooing of the common wood pigeon. The nest is usually in a hole in an old tree, and nest boxes are also used. The source does not describe its status in China (Wikipedia, general species account).