This article is about the ancestral wild form of domestic pigeons. For the variable domestic form, with hundreds of breeds, seeDomestic pigeon. For free-living descendants of domesticated birds living around human settlements, seeFeral pigeon.
Therock dove (Columba livia), also sometimes as "rock pigeon" or "common pigeon", is a member of the bird familyColumbidae (doves and pigeons).[2][3]: 624 In common usage, it is often simply referred to as the "pigeon", although the rock dove is thewild form of the bird; the pigeons familiar to most people are thedomesticated forms of the wild rock dove.
Wild rock doves are uniformly pale grey with two black bars on each wing, with few differences being seen between males and females; i.e. they are not stronglysexually dimorphic.[4] Thedomestic pigeon (often, but invalidly, called "Columba livia domestica"), which includes about1,000 different breeds, is descended from this species. Escaped domestic pigeons are the origin offeral pigeons around the world. Both forms canvary widely in the colour and pattern of theirplumage unlike their wild ancestor, being red, brown, checkered, uniformly coloured, orpied.[5]
Habitats include various open and semi-open environments where they are able toforage on the ground.Cliffs and rock ledges are used forroosting andbreeding in the wild. Originating inSouthern Europe,North Africa, andWestern Asia, when including their domestic and feral descendants, they are an example of aleast-concern species perIUCN among birds, being abundant with an estimatedpopulation of 17 to 28 million wild and feral birds in Europe alone and up to 120 million worldwide.[1][6]
The rock dove wasformally described in 1789 by the German naturalistJohann Friedrich Gmelin in his revised and expanded edition ofSystema Naturae written byCarl Linnaeus. He placed it with all the other doves and pigeons in the genusColumba and coined thebinomial nameColumba livia.[8] The genus nameColumba is theLatin word meaning "pigeon, dove",[9] whose older etymology comes from theAncient Greek κόλυμβος (kólumbos), "a diver", hence κολυμβάω (kolumbáō), "dive, plunge headlong, swim".[10]Aristophanes (Birds 304) and others use the word κολυμβίς (kolumbís), "diver", for the name of the bird, because of its swimming motion in the air.[11] Thespecific epithetlivia is aMedieval Latin variant oflivida, "livid, bluish-grey"; this wasTheodorus Gaza's translation of Greekpéleia, "dove", itself thought to be derived frompellós, "dark-coloured".[12]: 228
No original material was designated by Gmelin in his description of the species, and consequently aneotype specimen, fromFair Isle in Scotland, has been designated to define the species and its nominatesubspeciesC. l. livia.[13]
A distinctivecere oroperculum is located on top of the beak.
The iridescence wraps around the entire neck.
Centuries ofdomestication have greatly altered the rock dove. Domestic and Feral pigeons, whichdid not originate naturally, have significant variations in plumage.[15] When not specified, descriptions are for assumedwild type, though the wild type may be on the verge of extinction or already extinct,[16] and most research does not distinguish wild birds and descendants of domestic populations.
The adult of thenominate subspecies of the rock dove is 29 to 37 cm (11 to 15 in) long with a 62 to 72 cm (24 to 28 in) wingspan.[17] Weight for wild or feral rock doves ranges from 238–380 g (8.4–13.4 oz), though overfed domestic and semidomestic individuals can exceed normal weights.[3][4] For standard measurements, thewing chord is typically around 22.3 cm (8.8 in), thetail is 9.5 to 11 cm (3.7 to 4.3 in), thebill is around 1.8 cm (0.71 in), and thetarsus is 2.6 to 3.5 cm (1.0 to 1.4 in).[3]
This species has dark bluish-grey head, neck, and chest feathers with glossy yellowish,[citation needed] greenish, and reddish-purpleiridescence along its neck and wing feathers.[citation needed] The whitelower back of the pure rock dove is its best identification characteristic; the two black bars on its pale grey wings are also distinctive. The tail has a black band on the end, and the outer web of the tail feathers are margined with white. It is strong and quick on the wing, dashing out from sea caves, flying low over the water, its lighter grey rump showing well from above.[4][18][self-published source?] The iris is orange, red, or golden with a paler inner ring, but a few pigeons may have white-grey eyes. The eyelids are orange and encapsulated in a bluish-grey to grey-white eye ring. The bill is grey-black with a conspicuous off-white cere. The feet are red to pink.[14]
The adult female is almost identical in outward appearance to the male, but the iridescence on her neck is less intense and more restricted to the rear and sides, whereas that on the breast is often very obscure.[3] Young birds show little lustre and are duller. Eye colour of the pigeon is generally orange, but a few pigeons may have white-grey eyes. The eyelids are orange and encapsulated in a grey-white eye ring. The feet are red to pink.[14][4]
When circling overhead, the white underwing of the bird becomes conspicuous. In its flight, behaviour, and voice, which is more of adovecotcoo than the phrase of thewood pigeon, it is a typicalColumba pigeon. Although it is a relatively strong flier, it also glides frequently, holding its wings in a very pronounced V shape as it does.[19]
The various subspecies are similar to the nominate, but can be differentiated:[3]: 176–179
C. l. livia, thenominate subspecies, has mid-grey mantle plumage, and a relatively short tail.
C. l. gymnocycla is smaller and very much darker than the nominate. It is almost blackish on the head, rump and underparts with a white back and the iridescence of the nape extending onto the head.
C. l. targia is slightly smaller than the nominate, with similar plumage, but the back is concolorous with the mantle instead of white.
C. l. schimperi closely resemblesC. l. targia, but has a distinctly paler mantle.
C. l. dakhlae is smaller and much paler than the nominate.
C. l. palaestinae is slightly larger thanC. l. schimperi and has darker plumage.
C. l. gaddi is larger and paler thanC. l. palaestinae, with which itintergrades in the west.
C. l. neglecta it is similar to the nominate in size but darker, with a stronger and more extensive iridescent sheen on the neck. It intergrades withC. l. gaddi in the south.
C. l. intermedia is similar toC. l. neglecta but darker, with a less contrasting back.
There have been numerousskeletal descriptions of the rock dove and the associatedmuscles including those of the eye, jaw, neck, and throat.[20] The skull is dominated by therostrum,eye socket, andbraincase.[20] Thequadrate bone is relatively small and mobile and connects the rest of the cranium to the lower jaw.[20] The latter has an angled shape in lateral view because the long-axis of the front half of the lower jaw is at a 30° angle to the back half. Beneath the skull, thehyoid skeleton involves three mid-line structures and a pair of elongate structures that stem from between the junction of the back two structures. The anterior structure (the paraglossum or entoglossum) is unpaired and shaped like an arrowhead.[20]
Pigeons feathers have two types ofmelanin (pigment) –eumelanin andpheomelanin. A study of melanin in the feathers of both wild rock and domestic pigeons, of different colour types and known genetic background, measured the concentration, distribution and proportions of eumelanin and pheomelanin and found that gene mutations affecting the distribution, amounts and proportions of pigments accounted for the greater variation of colour in domesticated birds than in their wild relations. Eumelanin generally causes grey or black colours, while pheomelanin results in a reddish-brown colour. Other shades of brown may be produced through different combinations and concentrations of the two colours.[21] Darker birds may be better able to store trace metals in their feathers due to their higher concentrations of melanin, which may help mitigate the negative effects of the metals, the concentrations of which are typically higher in urban areas.[22]
The call is a soft, slightly wavering, coo. OrnithologistDavid Sibley describes the display call as awhoo, hoo-witoo-hoo,[15] whereas theCornell Lab of Ornithology describes it as aCoo, roo-c'too-coo. Variations include an alarm call, a nest call, and noises made by juveniles.[23] Sibley describes the nest call as a repeatedhu-hu-hurrr.[15] When displaying, songs are partly sexual, partly threatening. They are accompanied by an inflated throat, tail fanning, strutting, and bowing. The alarm call, given at sight of predators, is a grunt-likeoorhh.[23]
A flock perched on a cliffside, showing theirpetrophillic nature
Before theColumbian Exchange, rock doves were restricted to a natural resident range in western and southernEurope,North Africa, and extending intoSouth Asia. They were carried into theNew World aboard European ships between 1603 and 1607.[23][24] The species (including feral birds) has a large range, with an estimated global extent of occurrence of 10,000,000 km2 (3,900,000 sq mi). It has a large global population, including an estimated 17 to 28 million individuals in Europe.[1]Fossil evidence suggests the rock dove originated in southern Asia, and skeletal remains, unearthed inIsrael, confirm its existence there for at least 300,000 years.[5] However, this species has such a long history with humans that it is impossible to identify its original range exactly.[4]
Wild pigeons reside inrock formations and cliff faces, settling in crevices to nest. They nest communally, often forming large colonies of many hundreds of individuals.[25] Wild nesting sites include caves, canyons, and sea cliffs. They will even live in theSahara so long as an area has rocks, water, and some plant matter. They prefer to avoid dense vegetation.[23]
Feral pigeons are usually unable to find these accommodations, so they must nest on building ledges, walls or statues. They may damage these structures via theirdroppings; starving birds can only excreteurates, which over time corrodes masonry and metal. In contrast, a well-fed bird passes mostly solid faeces, containing only small amounts of uric acid.[26]
Pigeons are often found in pairs in the breeding season, but are oftengregarious, living in flocks of 50 to 500 birds (dependent on the food supply).[27][3] As prey birds, they must keep their vigilance, and when disturbed a pigeon within a flock will take off with a noisyclapping sound that cues for other pigeons to take to flight. The noise of the take-off increases the faster a pigeon beats its wings, thus advertising the magnitude of a perceived threat to its flockmates.[28][clarification needed]
Non-vocal sounds include a loud flapping noise at take-off, feet stamping, hisses, and beak snapping. Wings may also be clapped during flights, usually during display fights or after copulation. Juveniles particularly snap their bills, usually to respond to nest invasion. The foot stomping appears deliberate, though for what purpose is unclear. Foot stamping is done with a certain foot first, showing that rock doves have "footedness", similar to humanhandedness.[23]
Homing pigeons, includingcarrier breeds, are well known for their ability to find their way home from long distances. Despite these demonstrated abilities, wild rock doves are sedentary and rarely leave their local areas. It is suggested that in their naturalarid habitat, they rely on this sense to navigate back home after foraging as deserts rarely possess navigationallandmarks that may be used.[4]
The species can breed at any time of the year due to their ability to producecrop milk, but peak times are spring and summer, when the food supply is abundant enough to support embryonic egg development. Laying of eggs can take place up to six times per year.[citation needed]Nesting sites are along coastal cliff faces, as well as the artificial cliff faces created by apartment buildings with accessible ledges or roof spaces.[29]
Courtship rituals of ferals are often observed inurban parks at any time of the year, and it is presumed that the wild populations have similar displays. Alighted males inflate their crops, puffing up the feathers on his neck to appear larger and thereby impress or attract attention (as seen in the header image). He approaches the female at a rapid walking pace while emitting repetitive quiet notes, often bowing and turning as he comes closer.[30] At first, the female invariably walks or flies a short distance away and the male follows her until she stops. At this point, he continues the bowing motion and very often makes full- or half-pirouettes in front of the female.[31] The male then proceeds to feed the female by regurgitating food, as they do when feeding the young.[citation needed] The male then mounts the female, rearing backwards to be able to join theircloacae. The mating is very brief, with the male flapping his wings to maintain balance on top of the female.[30]
The rock dove is generallymonogamous, with two squabs (young) perbrood. Both parents care for the young for a time.[14] Current evidence suggests that wild, domestic and feral pigeons mate for life, although their long-term bonds are not unbreakable.[32] They are socially monogamous, butextra-pair matings do occur, often initiated by males.[33]
Thenest is a flimsy platform of straw and sticks, laid on a ledge, under cover, often on the window ledges of buildings.[4] Two white eggs are laid; incubation, shared by both parents, lasts 17 to 19 days.[14] The newly hatched squab(s) (nestling) has pale yellow down and a flesh-coloured bill with a dark band.[citation needed] For the first few days, the babies are tended and fed (through regurgitation) exclusively oncrop milk (also called "pigeon milk" or "pigeon's milk"). The pigeon milk is produced in the crops of both parents in all species of pigeon and dove. Pigeons arealtricial and theirfledging period is about 30 days.[17]
A rock dove's lifespan ranges from 3–5 years in the wild to 15 years in captivity, though longer-lived specimens have been reported.[34] The main causes of mortality in the wild are predators and persecution by humans.[citation needed]
Pigeons feed on the ground in flocks or individually. Pigeon groups typically consist of "producers", which scout out food sources, and "scroungers", which follow the producers and feed on food located by them.[36] Generally, groups of pigeons contain a greater proportion of scroungers than producers. Pigeons are naturally granivorous, eating seeds that fit down their gullet. They may sometimes consume small invertebrates such asworms orinsect larvae as a protein supplement. As they do not possess an enlargedcecum as inEuropean wood pigeons, they cannot digest adult plant tissue; the various seeds they eat contain the appropriate nutrients they require.[37][38][39] While most birds take small sips and tilt their heads backwards when drinking, pigeons are able to dip their bills into the water and drink continuously, without having to tilt their heads back.[36]
Pigeons primarily usepowder down feathers for preening, which gives a soft and silky feel to their plumage. They have nopreen gland or at times have very rudimentary preen glands, so oil is not used for preening. Rather, powder down feathers are spread across the body. These have a tendency to disintegrate, and the powder, akin totalcum powder, helps maintain the plumage.[40]
A feral pigeon with entirely missing tail feathers
With only their flying abilities protecting them from predation, rock doves around the world are a favourite prey item for a wide range ofraptors. In fact, with feral pigeons existing in almost every city in the world, they may form the majority of prey for several raptor species that live in urban areas.Peregrine falcons andEurasian sparrowhawks are natural predators of pigeons and quite adept at catching and feeding upon this species. Up to 80% of the diet of peregrine falcons in several cities that have breeding falcons is composed of feral pigeons.[41] In all life stages, rock doves are at risk from domesticcats, includingstrays.[14] Doves and pigeons in general are considered to begame birds, since many species are hunted and used for food in many of the countries in which they are native.[42]
Their body feathers have dense, fluffy bases and are loosely attached to the skin, hence they drop out easily. When a predator catches a pigeon, large numbers of feathers are often pulled by the attacker's mouth and the pigeon may use this temporary distraction to make an escape.[40] Tail feathers are also dropped when preyed upon or under traumatic conditions, probably as adistraction mechanism.[43]
The rock dove was central toCharles Darwin's discovery ofevolution, and featured in four of his works from 1859 to 1872. Darwin posited that, despite wide-ranging morphological differences, the many hundreds of breeds of domestic pigeon could all be traced back to the wild rock dove; in essencehuman selection of pigeon breeds was analogous tonatural selection.[44]
Rock doves often have acommensal relationship with humans, gaining both ample access to food and nesting spots in inhabited areas. Human structures provide an excellent imitation of cliff structures, making rock doves very common around human habitation. Skyscrapers, highway overpasses, farm buildings, abandoned buildings, and other human structures with ample crevices are conducive to rock dove nesting. Thus the modern range of the rock dove is due in large part to humans.[23] Agricultural settlements are favoured over forested ones.[45] Ideal human nesting attributes combine areas with tall buildings, green spaces, ample access to human food, and schools. Conversely, suburban areas which are far from city centers and have high street density are the least conducive to pigeons.[46] Their versatility among human structures is evidenced by a population living inside a deep well in Tunisia.[23]
Rock doves have been domesticated for several thousand years, giving rise to thedomestic pigeon.[14] They may have been domesticated as long as 5,000 years ago.[47] Domesticated pigeons are used ashoming pigeons as well as food and pets. They were in the past also used ascarrier pigeons, used todeliver messages in peacetime orduring war. Numerousbreeds offancy pigeons of all sizes, forms, and colours have been bred.[48]
Feral pigeons (sometimes given the invalid names "Columba livia domestica" or "Columba livia formaurbana"), also called city doves, city pigeons, or street pigeons,[49][50] are descendants ofdomestic pigeons living independently and often unwanted by humans.[51] They are often described as a public nuisance, being a potential reservoir of disease and cause of property damage.[52][53][54][55][56][57][58]
^abcGill, Frank; Donsker, David;Rasmussen, Pamela, eds. (January 2023)."Pigeons".IOC World Bird List Version 13.1. International Ornithologists' Union. Retrieved10 June 2023.
^McClary, Douglas (1999).Pigeons for Everyone. Great Britain: Winckley Press.ISBN0-907769-28-4.
^Nagy, Kelsi, and Johnson, Phillip David.Trash animals: how we live with natures filthy, feral, invasive, and unwanted species. Minneapolis (Minn.), University of Minnesota Press, 2013.
^Blechman, Andrew D.Pigeons: The Fascinating Saga of the World’s Most Revered and Reviled Bird, St Lucia, Qld., University of Queensland Press, 2007.
^"Nuisance Problems Caused By Pigeons".animalshappen.com. Animal Happen Wildlife Control & Animal Removal Services. 29 November 2023. Retrieved19 February 2025.
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