wood pigeon

American  

noun

1. Also called ringdove.  a European pigeon, Columba palumbus, having a whitish patch on each side of the neck.

2. band-tailed pigeon.

---

wood pigeon British  

noun

1. Also called: ringdove.   cushat.  a large Eurasian pigeon, Columba palumbus, having white patches on the wings and neck

---

Etymology

Origin of wood pigeon

First recorded in 1660–70

Example Sentences

The top three birds in Kent and West Sussex were the house sparrow, blue tit and Starling, while in East Sussex they were the house sparrow, blue tit and wood pigeon.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

At time of writing the endangered Kea was the front-runner with more than 6,000 votes, while the Kererū – a native New Zealand wood pigeon – was coming second with around 3,000.

From The Guardian • Oct. 20, 2017

More recently, there were a few deep-red slices of wild wood pigeon, brought in from Scotland; a very fine thing on a chilly, windy fall night.

From New York Times • Dec. 6, 2016

The six-course dinners will feature Coromondel oyser, fresh hamachi, wood pigeon, frog legs and more.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 2, 2014

“Not quite so big,” admitted Bigwig, “but bigger than a wood pigeon: and a lot fiercer.”

From "Watership Down: A Novel" by Richard Adams