Common Green Pigeon

The Common Green Pigeon is a familiar fruit-eating pigeon of the Indian subcontinent, often seen in flocks at fruiting fig trees. Its overall green tone with a contrasting grey back and bright yellow legs helps distinguish it from other green pigeons sharing its range.

Body feathers are a yellowish-green overall, with the mantle and scapulars showing a contrasting ashy-grey tone that sets it apart from the more uniformly green plumage of related species. The legs and feet are a bright yellow, a useful field mark when perched. Flight feathers are green-grey with fine yellow edging visible as thin wing bars. Tail feathers are grey with a darker terminal band. The grey mantle patch combined with yellow legs is the clearest identification combination for this species.

Sexes are similar, both showing the yellowish-green body and grey mantle, with males sometimes showing a slightly richer purple-maroon shoulder patch. Juveniles are duller and lack strong contrast between the green body and grey mantle. Molt is gradual, without pronounced seasonal plumage change.

Found in open woodland, forest edge, orchards, and cultivated land across the Indian subcontinent, including parts of Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. It is largely resident, though local movements occur in response to fruit availability.

Common Green Pigeons feed on fruit, especially figs, gathering in flocks at productive trees. They build a flimsy stick platform nest in a tree. Their call is a series of pleasant, whistling and gurgling notes. Their tolerance of cultivated and semi-open landscapes makes them a familiar sight across much of South Asia.