Woodpigeons

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A common species of large pigeon known for its distinct cooing calls and widespread presence in wooded and rural areas; a type of bird characterized by its grey plumage with white neck patches; members of the pigeon family often found in temperate forests and gardens
2. A widespread woodland bird distinguished by a soft, repetitive call and grey feathers accented with white neck spots; a kind of pigeon notable for its strong flight and tree-nesting habits; birds commonly inhabiting mixed forests and parklands
3. A bird species frequenting forests and open countryside, recognized by its gentle coo and mottled gray color with white markings on the neck; pigeons that nest in trees and feed primarily on seeds and fruits; typical avian inhabitants of Europe’s wooded regions and beyond

Etymology: "Woodpigeons" is simply the plural of "woodpigeon," so the story belongs to the singular. The compound joins "wood," in the sense of a forest or wooded area, with "pigeon," which came into English from Old French "pijon," a word for young pigeons, and ultimately from Vulgar Latin "pipio," a name imitating the chirping of young birds. The name describes the bird's habitat, distinguishing it from the town-dwelling pigeons and doves that sat on roofs and in dovecotes. Its ancestry is therefore a plain pairing of an English habitat word with a borrowed word for a bird.

Synonyms: ringdoves, doves, pigeons, columbids