Wood Pigeon (also known as Common Wood Pigeon)

The Wood Pigeon is a large, bulky pigeon with a grey body, pinkish breast, and a distinctive white patch on the side of the neck. In flight, they show prominent white wing bars. Their flight is powerful and direct, often accompanied by a loud rhythmic wing-clapping during takeoff. Their call is a soothing, five-note 'coo-coo-coo, coo-coo'.

Uniformly dark slate-grey or charcoal on the outer vane and upper half, transitioning to a lighter, silvery-grey toward the inner vane and base. There is a subtle, oily iridescent sheen visible under certain light. The underside is a more uniform, flat matte grey.

Mostly pennaceous and tightly interlocked with microscopic hooklets. The base of the feather features a small plumulaceous (downy) section for insulation. The individual barbs are dense and exhibit the specialized structure typical of pigeons which produces a soft flight sound.

Silky and smooth to the touch. It has a matte to semi-glossy appearance. Pigeons produce a high amount of powder down, so the feather may feel slightly 'dusty' or waxy, which helps with waterproofing.

Distinguished from other pigeon feathers by its large size (larger than Rock Pigeon or Feral Pigeon) and the specific gradient of cool slate-grey without the crisp black banding found in Rock Pigeons.

Highly adaptable, found in deciduous forests (like Söderåsen National Park), agricultural lands, parks, and increasingly in urban gardens and city centers.

Found throughout Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia. In Southern Sweden, they are common year-round residents, though northern populations are migratory.

Primarily a seed and grain eater, playing a role in seed dispersal. They are a vital food source for large raptors like Northern Goshawks and Peregrine Falcons, which are also found in the Swedish highlands.

Feral Pigeon (Columba livia domestica) feathers are smaller and often show darker banding or varied colors; Stock Dove (Columba oenas) feathers are smaller and a more uniform blue-grey without the same size profile.

Wood Pigeons are known for their spectacular display flights where they climb steeply and then flap their wings together loudly before gliding down. They are also unique among birds for producing 'crop milk' to feed their young, which is nutritionally similar to mammalian milk.

Good condition. The barbs are mostly intact, though there is some minor separation (splitting) on the trailing edge. The calamus is clean, suggesting it was naturally molted rather than plucked by a predator.

soderasan national park