- Lifespan
- 5–8 years in the wild, occasionally longer in captivity
- Size & Weight
- 26–29 cm, wingspan 47–55 cm; 120–240 g
- Habitat
- Parks, gardens, farmland, and urban areas with scattered trees and shrubs, typically in lowland regions.
- UK Distribution
- Widespread resident throughout England, Wales, and southern Scotland; scarcer in northern Scotland. Populations are resident year-round with some continental birds joining in winter.
- Diet
- Seeds and grain from plants, cultivated crops, and bird feeders; occasionally takes insects and small invertebrates.
- Predators
- Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Kestrel, and other raptors; occasionally taken by foxes and domestic cats.
- Mating Season
- February to October, with peak activity April to August
- Breeding
- Clutch of 2 eggs; incubation period 14–16 days; fledging at 17–19 days. Typically 2–3 broods per year, sometimes 4 in favourable conditions.
- Behaviour
- Highly vocal with a distinctive, repetitive 'coo-coo-coo' call. Gregarious birds, often seen in pairs or small flocks, particularly at feeding sites. They are relatively tame and have successfully adapted to human-dominated landscapes.