Columba eversmanni
The Yellow-eyed Pigeon (*Columba eversmanni*) is a medium-sized Old World pigeon, measuring approximately 29-33 cm (11-13 inches) in length with a weight ranging from 200-250 grams. Its most striking feature, lending to its common name, is a bright, conspicuous yellow iris set against a generally pale grey plumage, which is darker on the back and wings and lighter on the underparts. Key field marks include a pale greyish-white band across the inner wing coverts, which is particularly visible ...
This pigeon favors open woodlands, agricultural lands, riverine groves, and orchards, often at elevations from lowlands up to 3000 meters, typically near water sources.
Their diet consists mainly of seeds, particularly cereals like wheat, barley, and millet, supplemented with legumes, buds, shoots, and some wild fruits.
Yellow-eyed Pigeons are diurnal and highly gregarious, often forming large flocks, especially outside the breeding season and during winter, frequently mingling with other pigeon species. They are primarily ground-feeders, meticulously gleaning seeds and grains from fields. During courtship, male...
The Yellow-eyed Pigeon boasts a significant migratory range across Central and South Asia. Its breeding grounds are predominantly found across Central Asia, including eastern Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, eastern Iran, Afghanistan, parts of northern Pakistan, north...
Least Concern
- The species was named after Alexander von Eversmann, a German naturalist and explorer, in 1856. - Its bright yellow eye is a unique and defining characteristic, distinguishing it from most other *Columba* species, particularly the similar-looking Stock Dove. - Yellow-eyed Pigeons are strong mig...