Hybrid Pigeon? (2 Viewers)

[Ian Bennell]

Today in Cassiobury Park, Watford I saw a group of about 15 Woodpigeons and in with them was what I thought was a Feral Pigeon. It was smaller than the Woodpigeons and superficially it looked like a bog standard Feral Pigeon but when it took flight it had the wing and tail pattern of a Woodpigeon! Has anyone else ever seen/heard of a hybrid between these two species?

Ian

 

[Jane Turner]

Did it look at all like this?

http://f.polska.pl/gal/185/37/57/med.jpg

 

[Ian Bennell]

Did it look at all like this?

http://f.polska.pl/gal/185/37/57/med.jpg

Nope!! It looked like a dark grey Feral Pigeon with black markings on the chest until it flew and showed the White flashes in the wings and the pale bar through the tail.

 

[fugl]

Has anyone else ever seen/heard of a hybrid between these two species?

I don't know if Rock Pigeon x Wood Pigeon hybrids have been recorded in the "wild", but in captivity, yes: http://www.internationaldovesociety.com/Articles/hybrids.htm

Your bird, of course, could be an escape but if associating with wild Wood Pigeons is probably not.

 

[phil baber]

Today in Cassiobury Park, Watford I saw a group of about 15 Woodpigeons and in with them was what I thought was a Feral Pigeon. It was smaller than the Woodpigeons and superficially it looked like a bog standard Feral Pigeon but when it took flight it had the wing and tail pattern of a Woodpigeon! Has anyone else ever seen/heard of a hybrid between these two species?

Ian

That'd be a juvenile WoodPig. They breed all year round. Jane posted a good pic. They don't look like adults. Until they fly...:cat:

 

[KenM]

Could it have been a Stock Dove?...they are smaller and can look ''similar-ish'' to Woodys.

cheers

 

[Ian Bennell]

Thanks for the replies but it's neither a stock dove or juv woody as I know what they look like!! Slightly more in depth description in post 3.

Ian