entry smap 273

one of the most common species of birds we find this time of year here in Norway is the wood pigeon (Columba palumbus).

i took these shots at street level outside the park that historically was a naval base. instead of a fence there's a stone wall around the border with elevated ground to hinder access. the wood pigeon is on the grass behind the wall, about my eye level while standing on the street. in the park behind the bird is a horse chestnut tree in flower.

they are wild birds so in the forests they are quite wary but less so in the park. that's why i was able to take these shots with my phone from a relatively close distance. wood pigeons are easily distinguished from common pigeons by the clearly visible white patches on both sides of their neck. they are larger than common pigeons with a gray body and head and a more pinkish breast. in contrast to the amazingly smooth head the feathers on the back of the neck are distinctly ruffled and there may be some green above those white patches.

while walking in the forest you may hear them before you see them because of the familiar rhythmic five syllable cooing with a accented second oooh slight pause between the third and fourth oooh. also when they take to flight they make a lot of noise.