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| − | '''Alternative names: Common Pigeon | + | '''Alternative names: Rock Dove'''; also '''Feral Pigeon''' or '''Common Pigeon''' for feral populations. |
| − | [[Image: | + | [[Image:Rock Dove, Skye, by mogs04.jpg|thumb|550px|right|''C. l. livia''<br /> Photo by {{user|mogs04|mogs04}}<br />Skye, [[Inner Hebrides]], [[Scotland]], July 2011.]] |
;[[:Category:Columba|Columba]] livia | ;[[:Category:Columba|Columba]] livia | ||
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
| − | + | [[Image:Pigeon in the sky.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Photo by {{user|katastrofa|katastrofa}}<br />Wapping, [[London]], [[UK]], April 2017]] | |
| − | + | Length 30–35 cm (12¼-13½ in), wingspan 62–68 cm, weight 180–350 g<br /> | |
| − | The head and neck of | + | Overall blue-grey, with two broad black bars on the pale grey wings, white lower back, and light grey rump. The head and neck of adults is a darker blue-grey than the back and wings; the lower back is white, and the underwing [[Topography#General Anatomy|coverts]] pale whitish grey. The green and lilac or purple patch on the side of the neck is large, and the tail is distinctly banded black at the tip. |
| + | |||
| + | 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. The bill is dark grey and slender, with a small white [[Topography#Heads|cere]] at the base of the upper [[Dictionary_M-O#M|mandible]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Young birds show little [[Dictionary G-L#I|iridescence]] and are duller. | ||
| + | ====Variations==== | ||
| + | Feral birds show a variety of different colouration, generally due to having a homing pigeon background, these include black and white chequering, dark grey, light and bluish grey, grey and white, pinky brown, peach and either partly or wholly white. They may have a stouter bill and larger white [[Topography#Heads|cere]]. | ||
| + | ====Similar species==== | ||
| + | [[Hill Pigeon]] is very similar and replaces Rock Dove from central to north-eastern [[Asia]] but with much overlap with invading Feral Pigeons; it differs primarily in having a white band on the mid-tail (thus, with the lower back, ''two'' white bands in flight, to Rock Dove's one white band). [[Stock Dove]] is less similar, differing in only small black bars on the wing, darker grey wing (both above and below), less extensive glossy neck patch, and no white; it is also usually separated by habitat (primarily a woodland bird), though they can often be found feeding together. | ||
| + | |||
==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
| − | [[Image: | + | [[Image:rock pigeon alok.JPG|thumb|350px|right|''C. l. intermedia''<br />Photo by {{user|aloktewari|Alok Tewari}}<br />[[Bharatpur Keoladeo National Park|Keoladeo National Park]], [[India]], December 2016]] |
| − | + | Wild populations are found in southern and western [[Europe]], northern and western [[Africa]], and southwestern to central [[Asia]]. | |
| − | Rock Pigeons have been domesticated for several thousand years; escapees have resulted in feral populations in cities world-wide. | + | Rock Pigeons have been domesticated for several thousand years; escapees have resulted in feral populations in towns and cities world-wide, and also colonising natural habitats such as the sea cliffs of eastern England. Few (if any) wild populations are free of the influence of feral birds. |
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
==Subspecies== | ==Subspecies== | ||
| − | + | Different authorities accept 9 (IOC) to 13 (Clements) subspecies:<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup><sup>[[#References|[2]]]</sup> | |
*''C. l. livia'' | *''C. l. livia'' | ||
| − | :*Western | + | :*Western and southern Europe, northern Africa, southwestern Asia |
*''C. l. atlantis'' | *''C. l. atlantis'' | ||
| − | :*Madeira, Azores and Cape Verde Islands | + | :*Madeira, Azores and Cape Verde Islands (included in ''C. l. livia'' by IOC<sup>[[#References|[2]]]</sup>) |
*''C. l. canariensis'' | *''C. l. canariensis'' | ||
| − | :*Canary Islands and islands off Morocco | + | :*Canary Islands and islands off Morocco (included in ''C. l. livia'' by IOC<sup>[[#References|[2]]]</sup>) |
*''C. l. gymnocycla'' | *''C. l. gymnocycla'' | ||
:*Mauritania, Mali and Ghana; coastal Senegambia and Guinea | :*Mauritania, Mali and Ghana; coastal Senegambia and Guinea | ||
| Line 29: | Line 38: | ||
:*Egypt (Dakhla and Kharga oases) | :*Egypt (Dakhla and Kharga oases) | ||
*''C. l. butleri'' | *''C. l. butleri'' | ||
| − | :*Red Sea Province and Egyptian Sudan | + | :*Red Sea Province and Egyptian Sudan (included in ''C. l. schimperi'' by IOC<sup>[[#References|[2]]]</sup>) |
*''C. l. schimperi'' | *''C. l. schimperi'' | ||
:*Nile Valley to Khartoum; Red Sea Hills of eastern Egypt to northern Eritrea | :*Nile Valley to Khartoum; Red Sea Hills of eastern Egypt to northern Eritrea | ||
| Line 40: | Line 49: | ||
*''C. l. intermedia'' | *''C. l. intermedia'' | ||
:*Peninsular India and Sri Lanka | :*Peninsular India and Sri Lanka | ||
| − | *''C. l. nigricans'' | + | *''C. l. nigricans'' (considered to be invalid, as derived from feral birds, by IOC and ''HBW''<sup>[[#References|[2]]]</sup><sup>[[#References|[3]]]</sup>) |
:*Mongolia and northern China (Shanxi, Jilin and Gansu) | :*Mongolia and northern China (Shanxi, Jilin and Gansu) | ||
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
| − | Natural cliffs, usually on coasts. | + | Natural cliffs, usually on coasts and treeless mountains. Feral populations are universal in cities and towns worldwide. |
==Behaviour== | ==Behaviour== | ||
====Diet==== | ====Diet==== | ||
| − | Their main diet consists of grain, with the addition of legumes. | + | Their main diet consists of grain, with the addition of legumes and weed leaves and seeds. |
====Breeding==== | ====Breeding==== | ||
| − | 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. | + | The nest is usually on a ledge in a cave (or building, for feral birds); 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. |
====Vocalisation==== | ====Vocalisation==== | ||
| − | + | {{ Audio|Columba livia (song).mp3 }} | |
| − | + | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
| − | #{{Ref-Clements6thAug16}} | + | #{{Ref-Clements6thAug16}}#{{Ref-GillDonsker17V7.1}}#{{Ref-HBWVol4}}#Trek Nature |
{{ref}} | {{ref}} | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
{{GSearch|Columba+livia}} | {{GSearch|Columba+livia}} | ||
| + | {{GS-checked}} | ||
<br /> | <br /> | ||
| − | |||
<br /> | <br /> | ||
| − | |||
| − | [[Category:Birds]][[Category:Bird Songs]] [[Category:Columba | + | [[Category:Birds]][[Category:Bird Songs]] [[Category:Columba]] |
Revision as of 19:44, 26 November 2021
Alternative names: Rock Dove; also Feral Pigeon or Common Pigeon for feral populations.
- Columba livia
Identification
Length 30–35 cm (12¼-13½ in), wingspan 62–68 cm, weight 180–350 g
Overall blue-grey, with two broad black bars on the pale grey wings, white lower back, and light grey rump. The head and neck of adults is a darker blue-grey than the back and wings; the lower back is white, and the underwing coverts pale whitish grey. The green and lilac or purple patch on the side of the neck is large, and the tail is distinctly banded black at the tip.
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. The bill is dark grey and slender, with a small white cere at the base of the upper mandible.
Young birds show little iridescence and are duller.
Variations
Feral birds show a variety of different colouration, generally due to having a homing pigeon background, these include black and white chequering, dark grey, light and bluish grey, grey and white, pinky brown, peach and either partly or wholly white. They may have a stouter bill and larger white cere.
Similar species
Hill Pigeon is very similar and replaces Rock Dove from central to north-eastern Asia but with much overlap with invading Feral Pigeons; it differs primarily in having a white band on the mid-tail (thus, with the lower back, two white bands in flight, to Rock Dove's one white band). Stock Dove is less similar, differing in only small black bars on the wing, darker grey wing (both above and below), less extensive glossy neck patch, and no white; it is also usually separated by habitat (primarily a woodland bird), though they can often be found feeding together.
Distribution
Wild populations are found in southern and western Europe, northern and western Africa, and southwestern to central Asia.
Rock Pigeons have been domesticated for several thousand years; escapees have resulted in feral populations in towns and cities world-wide, and also colonising natural habitats such as the sea cliffs of eastern England. Few (if any) wild populations are free of the influence of feral birds.
Taxonomy
Subspecies
Different authorities accept 9 (IOC) to 13 (Clements) subspecies:[1][2]
- C. l. livia
- Western and southern Europe, northern Africa, southwestern Asia
- C. l. atlantis
- Madeira, Azores and Cape Verde Islands (included in C. l. livia by IOC[2])
- C. l. canariensis
- Canary Islands and islands off Morocco (included in C. l. livia by IOC[2])
- C. l. gymnocycla
- Mauritania, Mali and Ghana; coastal Senegambia and Guinea
- C. l. targia
- Central Sahara to central Sudan
- C. l. dakhlae
- Egypt (Dakhla and Kharga oases)
- C. l. butleri
- Red Sea Province and Egyptian Sudan (included in C. l. schimperi by IOC[2])
- C. l. schimperi
- Nile Valley to Khartoum; Red Sea Hills of eastern Egypt to northern Eritrea
- C. l. palaestinae
- Palestine, Sinai and Arabia to Aden and Oman
- C. l. gaddi
- Iran to Azerbaijan, Transcaspia, Afghanistan and Uzbekistan
- C. l. neglecta
- Mountains of central Asia
- C. l. intermedia
- Peninsular India and Sri Lanka
- Mongolia and northern China (Shanxi, Jilin and Gansu)
Habitat
Natural cliffs, usually on coasts and treeless mountains. Feral populations are universal in cities and towns worldwide.
Behaviour
Diet
Their main diet consists of grain, with the addition of legumes and weed leaves and seeds.
Breeding
The nest is usually on a ledge in a cave (or building, for feral birds); 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.
Vocalisation
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2016. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2016, with updates to August 2016. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Gill, F and D Donsker (Eds). 2017. IOC World Bird Names (version 7.1). Available at http://www.worldbirdnames.org/.
- Del Hoyo, J, A Elliot, and J Sargatal, eds. 1997. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 4: Sandgrouse to Cuckoos. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8487334221
- Trek Nature
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Rock Pigeon. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 25 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Rock_Pigeon
External Links
GSearch checked for 2020 platform.
