The Feral Pigeons seen in our towns and cities are all descendants of escaped and released domesticated pigeons. Feral pigeons display plumages in a variety of colours and patterns, and do not stick to one strict set of identifying features. Essentially, if it doesn't look like the other pigeons and doves listed, you're likely looking at a Feral Pigeon.

The Wood Pigeon is the UK's largest and most widespread species of pigeon and dove. To identify them, look for:

• Yellow iris
• Grey body 
• Pink breast 
• White patch on neck

Stock Doves are easily mistaken for Wood Pigeons due to their similar appearances. To identify a Stock Dove, look for:

• Smaller size 
• Grey body 
• Pink breast 
• Iridescent neck patch
• Black eyes
• Black bars on wings

Rock Doves are becoming increasingly rare. Their populations are mostly confined to Northern Ireland, the coasts of North and West Scotland and some offshore islands. To identify a Rock Dove, look for:

• Smaller stature 
• Light grey body 
• Bold, black wing bars 
• Pink chest 
• Metallic neck patch 
• White feathers under wing
• Orange iris

The Collared Dove is a common sight in most of the UK, but
absent from North and West Scotland and North and West Ireland. Look for:

• Red iris
• Smaller stature than a Woodpigeon 
• Beige-grey body 
• Darker grey on outer wing and tail feathers 
• Black collar, with white edging on the neck  

The Turtle Dove is a migratory
bird from West Africa, and only visits the UK from mid-April to August. To identify a Turtle Dove, look for:

• Smaller in size than the Collared Dove 
• Black and burnt orange feathers – it looks like a tortoiseshell pattern on the back and wings 
• Black and white neck pattern 
• Red eye ring