Rock dove

"Rock pigeon" redirects here. For other uses, see Rock pigeon (disambiguation).

Rock dove
Group of wild birds in Shetland, Scotland
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Columbiformes
Family: Columbidae
Genus: Columba
Species:
C. livia
Binomial name
Columba livia
  approximate native range
  introduced non-native populations

The rock dove, rock pigeon, or common pigeon (/ˈpɪdʒ.ən/ also /ˈpɪdʒ.ɪn/; Columba livia) is a member of the bird family Columbidae (doves and pigeons).[3]: 624  In common usage, it is often simply referred to as the "pigeon", although this is the wild form of the bird; the pigeons most familiar to people are the domesticated form of the wild rock dove.

The domestic pigeon (Columba livia domestica, which includes about 1,000 different breeds) descended from this species. Escaped domestic pigeons have increased the populations of feral pigeons around the world.[4]

Wild rock doves are pale grey with two black bars on each wing, whereas domestic and feral pigeons vary in the colour and pattern of their plumage. Few differences are seen between males and females; i.e they are not strongly sexually dimorphic.[5] The species is generally monogamous, with two squabs (young) per brood. Both parents care for the young for a time.[6]

Habitats include various open and semi-open environments where they are able to forage on the ground. Cliffs and rock ledges are used for roosting and breeding in the wild. Originating in Southern Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia, pigeons have become established in cities around the world. A commonly cited example of a least-concern species per IUCN among birds, the rock doves are abundant, with an estimated population of 17 to 28 million feral and wild birds in Europe alone and up to 120 million worldwide.[1][7]

  1. ^ a b BirdLife International (2019) [amended version of 2016 assessment]. "Columba livia". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T22690066A155493121. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22690066A155493121.en. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  2. ^ "Columba livia". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 2008-02-23.
  3. ^ Gibbs, David; Eustace Barnes; John Cox (2010-06-30). Pigeons and Doves: A Guide to the Pigeons and Doves of the World. United Kingdom: Pica Press. ISBN 978-1-873403-60-0.
  4. ^ Blechman, Andrew (2007). Pigeons-The fascinating saga of the world's most revered and reviled bird. St Lucia, Queensland: University of Queensland Press. ISBN 978-0-7022-3641-9.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference Cornell was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Levi, Wendell (1977). The Pigeon. Sumter, S.C.: Levi Publishing Co, Inc. ISBN 0-85390-013-2.
  7. ^ "Rock Pigeon Life History, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology". www.allaboutbirds.org. Retrieved 2019-12-24.