From Opus

Columba livia

Photo by Fulmar
Location: Point Vicente, Palos Verdes Peninsula, California, USA

[edit] Identification

32–37 cm. White lower back, two black bars on pale grey wings, tail is margined with white, lighter grey rump. The head and neck of the mature bird are a darker blue-grey than the back and wings; the lower back is white. The green and lilac or purple patch on the side of the neck is larger than that of the Stock Dove, and the tail is more distinctly banded. These birds come in many different colours, dark grey, light blue/grey, brown, peach, grey and white, pure white and more. Young birds show little lustre and are duller. Eye colour of the pigeon is generally an orange colour but a few pigeons may have white-grey eyes. The eyelids are orange in colour and are encapsulated in a grey-white eye ring. The feet are red to pink.

[edit] Distribution

Southern Europe, North Africa, and into South Asia.

[edit] Taxonomy

[edit] Habitat

Natural cliffs, usually on coasts.

[edit] Behaviour

The nest is usually on a ledge in a cave; it is a slight structure of grass, heather, or seaweed. Like most pigeons it lays 2 white eggs. The eggs are incubated by both parents for about 18 days.

[edit] Bird Song

[edit] External Links

• View more images of this species on Orientalbirdimages