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Photo by Jim Parrish
Photo Copyright Jim Parrish
Rock Dove
Columba livia
Other common names: Rock Dove
NatureServe conservation status
Global (G-rank): G5
State (S-rank): SNA
External links
General information
The rock pigeon, Columba livia, is native to Eurasia, but is now common worldwide due to domestication and introduction. It is exotic (nonnative) in Utah, where it is quite common. In native regions, the rock pigeon inhabits rocky coastal areas, river valleys, and canyons. Feral birds (domestic birds reverted to a free-roaming state) are more commonly associated with cities and farmlands.
Nesting occurs on rocky cliffs, trees, or man-made structures, such as building and bridges. A clutch of two eggs is incubated by both parents for about 18 days. The young, which are tended by both parents, fledge at about five weeks of age. Females may have more than one brood per year.
The rock pigeon is active during the day and non-migratory. Seeds make up the bulk of the diet, although other plant matter is occasionally consumed. Many people refer to the rock pigeon as the rock dove or the domestic pigeon.
Species range
Native to Eurasia. Introduced and established throughout most of world.
Habitat
In wild state along rocky seacoasts or inland in gorges, river valleys, caves, and desert oases. Feral birds occasionally in natural habitats, more abundantly near human settlement, especially in cities and around farms. Nests in cliff ledges, caves, building ledges, bridge structures, monuments, abandoned houses and barns, and in palm trees (e.g., West Indies).
Food habits
Eats mainly seeds; also bits of vegetation and refuse.
Reproductive characteristics
Clutch size usually 2. Incubation 17-19 days, by both sexes. Young tended by both parents, first fly at about 5 weeks. Up to several broods per year. See Johnston and Johnson (1990).
References
- Biotics Database. 2005. Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, NatureServe, and the network of Natural Heritage Programs and Conservation Data Centers.
- Peterson, R. T., and V. M. Peterson. 1990. A field guide to western birds, 3rd ed. Houghton Mifflin, Boston. 432 pp.
