Best time to see: all year

Key facts

Grey and black pigeon often seen on farmland

Habitat: parkland, woodland edge and wooded farmland

Widely distributed resident

Recognition

Sooty grey upperparts, black on wings; small green patch on neck, pinkish breast; 33 cm

Unlike wood pigeon, has no white patches on neck or wings

Can form large flocks in crops on farmland; eats seed, grain and crops

Lifecycle

Courtship includes a display flight in which the pair fly round in circles together

Nest is a hole in tree or cliff with no nesting material; 2 or 3 broods of 2 white eggs late March to September