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.

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wood pigeon British  

noun

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

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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

Some of these are imported, like wild wood pigeon from Scotland.

From New York Times • Dec. 13, 2016

Hosts Sabine and Didier Meyer’s other gourmet specialities include beef rib with hot béarnaise sauce, cream of cèpe soup, wild boar, venison, wood pigeon and home-cured ham.

From The Guardian • Sep. 1, 2016

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

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 2, 2014

A blackbird called one or two deep, slow notes and was followed by a wood pigeon.

From "Watership Down: A Novel" by Richard Adams