Call: Muffled, slightly hoarse cooing consists of five syllables, with the emphasis on the first: "COOOOH coo coo-coo cu", the final syllable being brief and cut short. This series of notes is usually repeated three to five times without pause.

Feeding habits: They feed almost exclusively on seeds, grain and crops, but will feed on almost anything that is placed on a bird table. They drink more than other birds, mainly because they do not get sufficient moisture from their food. An interesting feature about how they drink is that they use their beak like a straw, whereas other birds scoop the water up and throw their heads back to let it flow down their throats.

Nest: The nest is a flimsy platform made from twigs and built by both sexes in a tree or on a building.

Habitat and range: Abundant and widespread throughout the UK. Found in farmland, parkland and all types of woodland. Has spread in recent years into town parks and gardens.