Yellow eyed pigeon portrait, Jorbeed

The yellow-eyed pigeon or pale-backed pigeon is a member of the family Columbidae. It breeds in southern Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan, north-east Iran and extreme north-west China. It winters in north-east Pakistan, Jammu and Kashmir and parts of Rajasthan including Tal Chhapar Sanctuary and Jorbeer, Bikaner. The yellow-eyed pigeon feeds largely on seeds, grains and berries, usually foraging on the ground but sometimes plucking fruits from the bough. It migrates southwards in October and November, forming flocks in winter and roosting in trees. At one time flocks were numbered in thousands of individuals, but the numbers of birds have dwindled and flocks now often contain a few dozen birds, and seldom exceed a few hundred. It returns to its breeding range in April and nesting takes place during the late spring and summer.

The bird has declined in numbers over the years, chiefly because of hunting it is classified as Vulnerable by IUCN.