Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species has an extremely large range and the population size is extremely large, hence does not approach threatened thresholds for the range or population size criteria. The population trend appears to be increasing, and hence the species does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion. For these reasons, the species is evaluated as Least Concern.
Population justification
In Europe, the total population size is estimated at 1,360,000-2,290,000 mature individuals, with 683,000-1,150,000 breeding pairs (BirdLife International 2021), and comprises approximately 80% of the species' global range, so a very preliminary estimate of the global population size is between 1,700,000-2,860,000 mature individuals, although further validation of this estimate is desirable. The species' population in Europe is considered to have undergone a moderate increase over three generations (10 years) (BirdLife International 2021). As this region holds the vast majority of the species' global range, the global population size is considered to be increasing at a moderately rapid rate over three generations.
Trend justification
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The species is found in generally fairly open country (Baptista et al. 1997). It uses woodland-edge habitat, parks and farmland with mature trees or other habitats offering suitable nest-hole sites (Tucker and Heath 1994). It mostly feeds on the ground taking seeds, grain, green leaves, buds, flowers and some invertebrates (Baptista et al. 1997). It is wholly migratory in northern Europe and mainly resident in southern Europe (Tucker and Heath 1994, Baptista et al. 1997). Populations are progressively less migratory further south in the range (Baptista et al. 1997).
In parts of its range, the species underwent severe declines after the 1950s with the introduction of new herbicides, although populations have recovered to a limited extent (Baptista et al. 1997).
Conservation Actions Underway
EU Birds Directive Annex II. There are no known conservation measures for this species.
Conservation Actions Proposed
No conservation measures are currently needed for this species.
Text account compilers
Rutherford, C.A., Martin, R.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Stock Dove Columba oenas. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/stock-dove-columba-oenas on 23/11/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 23/11/2024.