Wood pigeons crossing Ferals

[CJR]

Hi all, thought I‘d put my two pence worth after reading an old post about potential cross-breeds between pigeons.

Wood pigeons do cross with Ferals now and then.  Seen them in Hyde park and Crystal Palace park, but never out in the countryside.  Smaller than a wood pigeon, with dark banded wing bars, but a white neck patch.  Shocked me when I first saw one.  It had the slow caution of a wood pigeon, but patterns of a Feral.

All shooters should be able to recognise Stock Doves, Ferals and wood pigeons.  All are different shapes with a difference in flying styles. Stock Doves are like the Spitfires of the sky, agile, stubby winged, extra sharp vision.  Ferals thinner, longer wings and both tend to fly close together, almost colliding.  Both even float with wings held at a sharp 'V' shape - something a woody never does.

Ferals are the town and city ancestors of coastal Rock Doves, which are very much protected.  By the way, in North Kent here, I'm starting to see Ravens on a regular basis, be careful you don't swing through one and drop it.  Generally large size, long head and neck length and V shaped tail (V outward, not inward like a Kite).  

Best wishes all.

[old'un]

Bit of an odd first post considering you joined in 2014? welcome to PW.

Edited May 11, 2021 by old'un

[mossy835]

yes did your watch stop.

[flycoy]

11 hours ago, CJR said:

Hi all, thought I‘d put my two pence worth after reading an old post about potential cross-breeds between pigeons.

Wood pigeons do cross with Ferals now and then.  Seen them in Hyde park and Crystal Palace park, but never out in the countryside.  Smaller than a wood pigeon, with dark banded wing bars, but a white neck patch.  Shocked me when I first saw one.  It had the slow caution of a wood pigeon, but patterns of a Feral.

All shooters should be able to recognise Stock Doves, Ferals and wood pigeons.  All are different shapes with a difference in flying styles. Stock Doves are like the Spitfires of the sky, agile, stubby winged, extra sharp vision.  Ferals thinner, longer wings and both tend to fly close together, almost colliding.  Both even float with wings held at a sharp 'V' shape - something a woody never does.

Ferals are the town and city ancestors of coastal Rock Doves, which are very much protected.  By the way, in North Kent here, I'm starting to see Ravens on a regular basis, be careful you don't swing through one and drop it.  Generally large size, long head and neck length and V shaped tail (V outward, not inward like a Kite).  

Best wishes all.

good post thanks 

yep quarry ID is important, a few Ravens by me too

[AULD YIN]

For a half  blind auld  ****  like me any help in recognition  is good

Edited May 11, 2021 by AULD YIN

[WalkedUp]

We have ravens and stock doves at the end of my garden so fortunately get quite a bit of practice ID’ing them when I’m mounting my invisible gun on a sunny afternoon. We have lots of mallard and so I’m practicing taking left and rights the proper way as I always do it the awkward way (front bird first) maybe a few clays would be as good a use.  

[Fellside]

On 11/05/2021 at 10:45, CJR said:

Hi all, thought I‘d put my two pence worth after reading an old post about potential cross-breeds between pigeons.

Wood pigeons do cross with Ferals now and then.  Seen them in Hyde park and Crystal Palace park, but never out in the countryside.  Smaller than a wood pigeon, with dark banded wing bars, but a white neck patch.  Shocked me when I first saw one.  It had the slow caution of a wood pigeon, but patterns of a Feral.

All shooters should be able to recognise Stock Doves, Ferals and wood pigeons.  All are different shapes with a difference in flying styles. Stock Doves are like the Spitfires of the sky, agile, stubby winged, extra sharp vision.  Ferals thinner, longer wings and both tend to fly close together, almost colliding.  Both even float with wings held at a sharp 'V' shape - something a woody never does.

Ferals are the town and city ancestors of coastal Rock Doves, which are very much protected.  By the way, in North Kent here, I'm starting to see Ravens on a regular basis, be careful you don't swing through one and drop it.  Generally large size, long head and neck length and V shaped tail (V outward, not inward like a Kite).  

Best wishes all.

Interesting post CJR. I never new that woodies could cross. Every day is a school day......?!