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
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Seeds
- Grains
- Food Scraps
Predators
- Peregrine Falcon
- Cooper's Hawk
- Feral Cat
ThreatsPredation, control measures, and vehicle collisions
HabitatsUrban areas, cliffs, agricultural fields, and rocky coastlines
Life span3 to 5 years in the wild
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderColumbiformes
- FamilyColumbidae
- GenusColumba
- Speciescolumba livia
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- 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.
Competitor stevem4560 / CC BY 4.0 · cc-by
Predator Mykola Swarnyk / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Family Member (c) Paul Danese, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Esteban Poveda, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Esteban Poveda · cc-by
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Species set
Urban Dwellers
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