Breeds in Ural valley, and in some places of northern and south-eastern Kazakhstan. On migrations occurs everywhere. Winters in south of country. Please see the detailed distribution in the section Subspecies.
Rare breeding migrant but quite numerous on migration. Inhabits the oak, elm, willow flood-plain forests, the mixed forests, and the willow, poplar, ash, maple groves. On migration occurs in open lands, stubble fields, river valleys. Arrives in end of March – April by small flocks of 5-20 birds, migration finishes in early May. Breeds by separate pairs, in suitable habitat not far one from another. Nests is located in tree holes (in south regions in holes of Asiatic Poplar). 2 eggs in clutch. No data about breeding from Kazakhstan. Autumn migration begins in end of August. Mass flight occurs in Ural valley and in foothills of Western Tien Shan where flocks of several hundred birds are not rare. Adults and juveniles migrate in the same flocks. Latest birds recorded in end of October.
 Columba oenas oenas (Linnaeus, 1758)Description. General colour is darker than yarkandensis, under parts are more grey-bluish, less ashy-grey than yarkandensis; mantle is usually brownish tinged. Male wing length 196-228 (212), female 200-215 (208) mm. |
 Columba oenas yarkandensis (Buturlin, 1909)Description. General colour lighter than oenas, under parts are more ashy-grey, less grey-bluish than oenas; mantle is lack or almost lack of brownish tinge. Male wing length 207-230 (220), female 205-221 (214) mm. |
Gavrilov E. I., Gavrilov A. E. "The Birds of Kazakhstan". Almaty, 2005. Э.И.Гаврилов. "Фауна и распространение птиц Казахстана". Алматы, 1999. В.К.Рябицев. "Птицы Урала, Приуралья и Западной Сибири". Екатеринбург. Изд-во Уральского университета, 2000.