Species · GBIF taxon 2495414
Columba livia
columba liviaAlso known as Rock Pigeon, Common Pigeon, Feral Pigeon, Domestic Pigeon
Rock doves thrive in bustling cities and rugged cliffs alike, utilizing architectural ledges as substitutes for their ancestral sea-cliff nesting sites. These highly social birds form lifelong monogamous pairs and produce a protein-rich crop milk to feed their rapidly growing chicks. Their exceptional navigational abilities, which rely on magnetic fields, the sun, and low-frequency sound waves, have made them legendary messengers throughout human history.
UrbanAdaptableMonogamous
- diet
- Omnivorous (primarily seeds, grains, and human food scraps)
- family
- Columbidae
- threats
- Predation, control measures, and vehicle collisions
- life Span
- 3 to 5 years in the wild
LC
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
- Feeding: Avoid offering bread, which lacks nutrition, and opt for birdseed or cracked corn instead.
- Observation: Watch for their distinctive head-bobbing walk, which helps stabilize their vision as they move.
- Listening: Listen for the soft, rhythmic cooing used by males to defend territory and attract mates.