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Rock Dove

Rock Dove

Columba livia

Least Concern

Quick Facts

Kingdom: Animalia
Abundance: Abundant
Habitat: Grassland, Urban, Coastal
Activity: Diurnal (Active during day)
Lifespan: Up to 6 years

The common pigeon prolific in towns and cities with a chunky body, a short, rounded tail, two black wing bands, and a black tail band. There are many color variations, but the typical Rock Dove is blue-grey with a white lower back. Although pigeons are not migratory, they have extraordinary navigation abilities due in part to the fact that they are able to sense the Earth’s magnetic field with tiny magnetic tissues in their heads.

Diet

Rock doves are omnivorous, but prefer plant matter: chiefly fruits and grains.

Activity Pattern

Diurnal (Active during day)
Kingdom: Animalia
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Phylum: Chordata
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Class: Aves
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Order: Columbiformes
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Family: Columbidae
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Genus: Columba
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Species: Columba livia

Scientific Name

Columba livia

Common Name

Rock Dove
Breeding Season
Any time of year
Lifespan
Up to 6 years

Behavior

Pigeons peck at food on the ground and drink by placing their bill in water, using it like a straw. When threatening a rival, pigeons may bow and coo, inflating their throat and walking in a circle. A male pigeon courts his mate by bowing, cooing, inflating his throat, and strutting in a circle around the female. They fly with a steady and direct path. Pigeons are most often seen during daylight, seeking cover at night and in during the heat of the day, according to the climate. They flock while roosting, sunning, and feeding.

Activity Pattern

Diurnal (Active during day)

Habitat Types

Grassland
Urban
Coastal

Geographic Distribution

Wild Columba livia are native to Europe, North Africa, and southwestern Asia. Feral pigeons are found worldwide, including throughout all of North America.

Local Abundance

Abundant

Conservation Status

Least Concern

This species is widespread and abundant. No immediate threat to survival.

How You Can Help

  • Report sightings to contribute to population monitoring
  • Support habitat conservation efforts
  • Follow guidelines when observing wildlife

Additional Notes

The species can breed at any time of the year due to their ability to produce crop milk (pigeon milk), but peak times are spring and summer.

Contribute Your Observations

Have you spotted this species? Your observations help us track populations and understand behavior patterns.

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