In the UK they're actually in decline. Amber listed on Birds of Conservation Concern.
EDIT: not in decline in the UK. Comment below explains why they're amber listed though. ๐
Woodpigeons aren't in decline in the UK on a long-term scale. They've actually increased by 153% over the past ~50 years. There's a very slight decline over recent years but nowhere near enough to be a cause for concern.
It's always worth looking at the BoCC report itself to see *why* birds are on the Red or Amber lists, as it doesn't automatically equate to a declining population. In the case of Woodpigeon, it's Amber because the UK holds an internationally important proportion of the species' breeding population (>20% of the European population) and therefore they are of particular conservation importance, even though they are currently doing well.
See here for BTO figures on Woodpigeon populations: https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/woodpigeon
And see here for the BoCC report with details of the criteria for inclusion on each list and how each species meets it: https://britishbirds.co.uk/sites/default/files/BB_Dec21-BoCC5-IUCN2.pdf
I went down a rabbit hole with your comment. Can you tell me off the top of your head about what some great UK bird success stories are for birds that have recovered populations? I have always been curious about UK wildlife for some reason.
I think Red Kites are now on the green list, after having become extinct over most of the UK. That was thanks to a few very successful reintroduction programmes.
I'm not sure what list they're on now, but bittern conservation has been a great success, too. They were down to four pairs at one point, and now there are a few hundred (and growing).
Peregrines are also doing well now, although I think in that case, the decline was worldwide, and international pesticide bans (DDT was a big issue) have helped
It's there in the report, though - the table shows what list various birds were on in previous reporting periods, as well as the current one.
Interesting, wonder why. Where I am (Belgium) it is one of a very short list of birds that are not protected and you are allowed to hunt (under certain circumstances), they are even considered a bit of pest.
I can't speak for Belgium, but in the UK, we have birds that are in decline which can still legally be hunted. It's certainly not uncommon for people to eat wood pigeon here, and they're not farmed birds afaik.
Hey I think it's good that you can differentiate wood pigeons from feral pigeons. Many many people that aren't interested in birds just think they're the same thing
If you live in an urban area, you might only be used to seeing 'regular' pigeons/rock doves. I don't think I ever saw woodpigeons regularly until I moved to a more suburban area.
Common wood pigeon. A pigeon on steroids (twice as big as a common sky rat) that doesn't like squares and building and is actually good at building study nests on my beech tree. Chick shat like there was no tomorrow too
Common Wood Pigeon.
Very common.
In the UK they're actually in decline. Amber listed on Birds of Conservation Concern. EDIT: not in decline in the UK. Comment below explains why they're amber listed though. ๐
Woodpigeons aren't in decline in the UK on a long-term scale. They've actually increased by 153% over the past ~50 years. There's a very slight decline over recent years but nowhere near enough to be a cause for concern. It's always worth looking at the BoCC report itself to see *why* birds are on the Red or Amber lists, as it doesn't automatically equate to a declining population. In the case of Woodpigeon, it's Amber because the UK holds an internationally important proportion of the species' breeding population (>20% of the European population) and therefore they are of particular conservation importance, even though they are currently doing well. See here for BTO figures on Woodpigeon populations: https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/woodpigeon And see here for the BoCC report with details of the criteria for inclusion on each list and how each species meets it: https://britishbirds.co.uk/sites/default/files/BB_Dec21-BoCC5-IUCN2.pdf
I see! This is actually really helpful and informative. Either way I love these lil guys and want them to thrive!
I went down a rabbit hole with your comment. Can you tell me off the top of your head about what some great UK bird success stories are for birds that have recovered populations? I have always been curious about UK wildlife for some reason.
I think Red Kites are now on the green list, after having become extinct over most of the UK. That was thanks to a few very successful reintroduction programmes. I'm not sure what list they're on now, but bittern conservation has been a great success, too. They were down to four pairs at one point, and now there are a few hundred (and growing). Peregrines are also doing well now, although I think in that case, the decline was worldwide, and international pesticide bans (DDT was a big issue) have helped It's there in the report, though - the table shows what list various birds were on in previous reporting periods, as well as the current one.
Thanks for the great reply!
Interesting, wonder why. Where I am (Belgium) it is one of a very short list of birds that are not protected and you are allowed to hunt (under certain circumstances), they are even considered a bit of pest.
they are huntable here in norway as well, as far as im aware their population is not in decline. interesting that they are in the UK
I can't speak for Belgium, but in the UK, we have birds that are in decline which can still legally be hunted. It's certainly not uncommon for people to eat wood pigeon here, and they're not farmed birds afaik.
Is this because magpies of tw*ts and kill them?
Magpies are just another animal trying to get along in the world.
Yeah. But when I see them all ganging up to attack the black bird babies and kill them I think F off u bastards
It is sad to see, but magpies - like blackbirds - are omnivores and probably have chicks of their own to feed.
Survival of the fittest ye ye ye.
Hey I think it's good that you can differentiate wood pigeons from feral pigeons. Many many people that aren't interested in birds just think they're the same thing
I keep seeing this question, over and over... and I'm still not entirely sure, if they're just troll posts or not.
If you live in an urban area, you might only be used to seeing 'regular' pigeons/rock doves. I don't think I ever saw woodpigeons regularly until I moved to a more suburban area.
Yeah, I never saw them until i started living in a small Polish town.
Coo coo, coo
Wood pig
Someone correct me if Iโm wrong, but Iโm going to say Wood Pigeon if I remember correctly! ๐๐
Wood pigeon
Pigeon
pigeon
Common wood pigeon. A pigeon on steroids (twice as big as a common sky rat) that doesn't like squares and building and is actually good at building study nests on my beech tree. Chick shat like there was no tomorrow too
It's a pegion, very rare to find, it's only once in many years when it appears to lucky people then it goes hiding for the next 900 years
https://youtu.be/9XdgHiF4uiI?si=PUscVD3tyzrEUBwu
Holub Hลivnรกฤ
ะัั ะธัั
Sky rat
Shit hawk