Rock Pigeon (Columba livia)

Rock Dove (Feral Pigeon), Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Ladner, British Columbia
Photograph by Alan And Elaine Wilson. Some rights reserved. (view image details)

ROCK PIGEON FACTS

Description
The typical Rock Pigeon has a dark blue gray head, neck, and chest with greenish, and purple iridescence on the neck and wings. The bill is gray with off-white cere. The feet are reddish. The female is similar to the male with less iridescence on the neck and wings. The lower back is white. The wings are pale gray with two black bars.

Size
length 32cm – 37 cm

Environment
Often near human habitation, cities, parks, gardens, farms

Food
rocky cliffs, urban areas, farms

Breeding
The Rock Pigeon nests on coastal cliffs, ledges on city buildings, roof spaces. The nest is a flimsy platform of sticks on a ledge. Lays two white eggs which hatch after incubation of 17 - 19 days. The young fledges after about 30 days.

Range
The Rock Pigeon is native to Europe, North Africa, and South Asia. The feral pigeon is a domesticated form of the species that has been widely introduced around the world. It was first introduced to North America in 1606 at Port Royal, Nova Scotia.

Classification

Class:	Aves
Order:	Columbiformes
Family:	Columbidae
Genus:	Columba
Species:	livia
Common Name:	Rock Pigeon

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