This should test you. Can you tell what is so different with these birds.

[John]

A rather long a convoluted title I admit but have a look at these photos and tell me what you think they are, or should be.

[wildone]

I should think Rock Doves or Racing/Feral Pigeons. I go with the former because the birds are so uniform to colour and markings. Am I close? Wildone

[John]

Originally Posted by wildone

I should think Rock Doves or Racing/Feral Pigeons. I go with the former because the birds are so uniform to colour and markings. Am I close? Wildone

And if you are right where would you expect to find them on our mainland?

[wildone]

Rocky places. How about cliffs at the coast?

[John]

Originally Posted by wildone

Rocky places. How about cliffs at the coast?

Too generalistic. Tighter area please. lol

[pxl8]

Rock Doves are found North and West Scotland and parts of Ireland.

[John]

Originally Posted by pxl8

Rock Doves are found North and West Scotland and parts of Ireland.

There's a man that knows. These photos were actually taken on the Isle of Skye last May.

Many people say they see Rock Doves at places like Bempton Cliffs in North Yorks but they will be Feral pigeons. What you are looking at in these photos is the genuine article.

[pxl8]

I'd only read it recently in my field guide, so pure luck really...

[John]

Originally Posted by pxl8

I'd only read it recently in my field guide, so pure luck really...

Don't knock it. You only learn by reading or word of mouth. Obviously that piece of information stuck.

You don't normally get this close to Rock Doves but on the Isle of Skye there is a Doctor that has managed to get them to feed in and around his garden which fronts Loch Slapin, near Torridon.

[Jo Pedder]

so is it possible to split the two in the field?

[John]

Originally Posted by Jo Pedder

so is it possible to split the two in the field?

First of all by location. They are only located on the far northern shores of Scotland and on the Western Isles so if you see a similar bird elswhere it will be a Feral.

If it is the same location as Rock Doves breed, well just look at the uniformity of markings. I doubt if a Feral Pigeon will be that defined as to be the same as a Rock Dove.

Have a good look at the photos. They are a smart, tidy, looking bird in comparison to similar marked Feral Pigeons.

There is no comparison to a Woodpigeon as the markings are different.