Columba livia

Colour: grey back and wings with 2 black stripes in the wings and a black tip on the tail, males have a blue grey iridescent head, females have less iridescence. They have orange red eyes a greyish black bill and dark red feet. Juveniles have paler feathering.

Size: 30-36cm, wingspan 50-67cm.

Lifespan: 3-5 years.

Where and when: seen everywhere on the bird trail, all year round.

Conservation status: green

Habitat

They are commonly found in urban areas, farmlands, fields and (originally) rocky cliffs. These birds are native to Europe but introduced to the US and south Canada by early settlers so they are now found in urban areas there too.

Diet

Omnivorous – feed mainly on handouts and grains in city parks and fields during the day. Their natural diet consists mainly of seeds, grains, small fruits and berries, vegetation, occasionally insects, snails and earthworms, though in urban areas they now rely on human food (note: bread is not healthy for rock pigeons as lacks essential nutrients, but they will still eat it).

Behaviour

Rock pigeons gather in flocks which walk and run on the ground pecking for food. They are closely associated with humans – dependent on people for food and shelter (this is because
they are a descendent of domestic pigeons). They roost on buildings at night (mimic cliffs in their natural habitat).

Breeding

Usually monogamous – form one breeding pair for many years during their reproductive lives. Their breeding nests are loosely constructed from twigs and leaves, usually on window
ledges, bridges and in barns. They can breed at any time of the year, but it mostly happens March to September.