Call: A rather monotonous, repetitive 'coo-coooo-cu', usually delivered from trees or roof-tops. The accent is on the second note, and the third note is very short and sometimes dropped altogether. The call can then be mistaken for that of a cuckoo, but the cuckoo's call is more musical and the accent is on the first note.

Feeding habits: Feeds mainly on grain and other seeds on the ground.

Nest: A thin platform of twigs in trees or on buildings.

Habitat and range: Mainly towns and villages; rarely far from human habitation. Common throughout the UK.