Afghanistan (B) (P), China (mainland) (B) (NB), India (NB), Iran [Islamic Republic of] (B) (NB) (P), Kazakhstan (B), Kyrgyzstan (B), Pakistan (NB) (P), Russia (Asian), Tajikistan (B), Turkmenistan (B), Uzbekistan (B).
Western Asia from Aral Sea to Tien Shan, and south to north-eastern Iran and Afghanistan. Winters south to south-eastern Iran, Pakistan and north-western India.
Population
Estimated population is 10,000 - 19,999 (2010) and decreasing.
Status VU
Habitat destruction and degradation due to intensification of arable cultivation and a change from the large-scale cultivation of pulses and mustard to wheat and rice in its key wintering areas, and hunting, are the main threats.
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.
Food
Grass seeds, arable crop seeds, fruit of trees and shrubs.
Voice
A quiet 'oo-oo-oo' during the breeding season.
Yellow-eyed Pigeon (Columba eversmanni) [XC29188]
by Barry Edmonston from Muslim Cemetery, Zheltorangghy (Zhelturanga), Ile Delta, Kazakhstan (wing whirr)
Yellow-eyed Pigeon (Columba eversmanni) [XC813871]
by id from Araltobe area Turanga woodland, Balkhash District, Almaty Province, Kazakhstan (song, wing noise)
Subspecies
Forms a superspecies with Somali Pigeon (Columba oliviae). Also closely related to Stock Pigeon (Columba oenas).
No subspecies.
Similar Species
Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) which is larger with grey tail and well defined terminal band. Broader, more extensive black bars across greater coverts, tertials and secondaries. Hill Pigeon (Columba rupestris) which has a white subterminal band and black terminal band to tail.
References
See References.
BirdLife International Species Factsheet