Stock doves....

[digannio]

I was just reading in one of my RSPB guides about these birds and it states what they like to eat and says of its feeding habits "NOT IN GARDENS". Now, I'm sure I can't be the only one but I get two or three stock doves visiting my small garden virtually every day as I regularly put out seeds for the ground feeders. I wonder if they are following the route of the wood pigeons which years ago didn't come near gardens but now are everywhere after latching on the the rich pickings available. They are quite nervous but have probably become a little braver over the past year.

I also noticed that not many people doing the garden birdwatch seem to list them among their garden visitors but, in my case and I'm sure others, they are as regular as clockwork. Maybe the RSPB needs to be updating their pocket guide cos I think they are here to stay in gardens. They also seem to be the most gentle natured of all my visitors as they quietly feed. And they are very effective Hoovers... particularly of sunflower hearts!

[aeshna5]

I think Stock Doves have been increasing + are now regular even in the central London royal parks such As Kensington Gardens/Hyde Park. I wouldn't say it's a common garden bird, but I'm not surprised quite a few people do get them, especially if you have a large garden or surrounded by farm or woodland.

Lovely birds!

[digannio]

I could imagine that in parks people could easily mistake them for feral pigeons. But they are easy to distinguish from those and the wood pigeons... particularly when they are hoovering up seeds just three yards from your patio door! They have very distinctive plummage... and I think very bonny birds.