What they like

Quiet and space. Parks with old trees, estates, orchards, farmyards with barns, and farmland with broad tree belts. He likes to breed in a cavity: old woodpecker holes, pollarded willows, hollow trees, sometimes a nest box. Tip: leave dead branches on old trees and postpone pollarding willows until after the breeding season. Hang a roomy nest box (at least starling-size, preferably larger) on a quiet tree edge.

Ecological importance

The stock dove is both a cleaner and a sower. He eats buds, seeds, grain and green parts, and in early spring also enjoys catkins and young shoots. He themself is on the menu for goshawk and sparrowhawk. More stock doves means: more life at the woodland edge.

When in the Netherlands

All year round. Often noticeably more numerous in winter due to birds from the north.

Status

Common. Locally dependent on old trees and cavities.