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

See Examples For:

wood pigeon

This year it dropped from third to fourth place behind the tree sparrow, the blue tit and the wood pigeon.

From BBC ● Apr. 10, 2025

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

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

Cluny had left the better part of a wood pigeon, some cheese, and there was still a handsome measure of the best St. Ninian barley wine in the Chief’s canteen.

From "Redwall" by Brian Jacques