Species Profile
Rock Dove
Columba livia
Rock Dove
Quick Facts
Conservation
LCLeast ConcernAlso known as: Feral Pigeon, City Pigeon, Street Pigeon
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Appearance
Rock Doves typically display bluish-grey plumage with two dark wing bars and iridescent neck feathers. Their rump is usually white, contrasting with the tail's dark terminal band. Size varies, but they average 32-37 cm in length.
While not strongly sexually dimorphic, males may be slightly larger and have more iridescent neck feathers. Feral populations show diverse colour variations, including white, black, and pied patterns.
Juveniles are similar to adults but have duller plumage, eyes, and legs.
Identification & Characteristics
Colors
- Primary
- Grey
- Secondary
- White
- Beak
- Grey
- Legs
- Pink
Attributes
Understanding Attributes
Rated 0–100 based on research and observation. A score of 50 is average across all bird species. These attributes are relative and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Habitat & Distribution
Rock Doves are found worldwide, thriving in urban environments across Europe, North Africa, and western Asia.
They have also been introduced to North and South America, Australia, and South Africa, where they have established successful feral populations.
While originally cliff-dwelling birds, they now predominantly inhabit cities, towns and villages, nesting on buildings, bridges, and other structures that mimic their natural cliff habitats.
Distribution
Where to See This Bird
Explore regional guides for locations where this bird has been recorded.
United Kingdom
England
Northern Ireland
Scotland
Wales
Rutland
Cambridgeshire
Bedfordshire
Buckinghamshire
Berkshire
Bristol
Cheshire
Cumbria
Cornwall
Derbyshire
Devon
Dorset
Durham
East Riding of Yorkshire
Essex
East Sussex
Gloucestershire
Hampshire
Herefordshire
Hertfordshire
Isle of Wight
Kent
London
Merseyside
Lancashire
Leicestershire
Lincolnshire
Manchester
Northumberland
Norfolk
Northamptonshire
Nottinghamshire
North Yorkshire
Oxfordshire
South Yorkshire
Tyne and Wear
West Midlands
Suffolk
Shropshire
Somerset
Surrey
Staffordshire
Stockton-on-Tees
Warwickshire
Wiltshire
West Yorkshire
Worcestershire
West Sussex
Diet
Rock Doves are primarily granivorous, feeding on seeds, grains, and occasionally small invertebrates and fruit. In urban environments, they often scavenge for human food scraps.
They have a unique ability to drink water by suction, unlike most birds that must tilt their heads back to swallow.
Behaviour
Rock Doves are highly social, often seen in large flocks in urban areas. They exhibit a characteristic head-bobbing motion when walking.
These birds are known for their homing ability, using the Earth's magnetic field and visual landmarks for navigation.
Calls & Sounds
The Rock Dove's call is a soft, rolling 'coo-ROO-coo' or 'kroo-ku-ku'. Males often produce a louder, more prolonged cooing during courtship.
In flight, their wings can produce a characteristic whistling or clapping sound, especially when taking off quickly.
Nesting & Breeding
Rock Doves form monogamous pairs and can breed year-round, especially in urban areas with abundant food. Up to 5 broods can be raised a year. Courtship involves males puffing up their neck feathers and strutting around females with a characteristic 'bow-coo' display.
Nests are simple platforms of twigs and grass, often placed on ledges or in small cavities on buildings. Females typically lay two white eggs per clutch.
Both parents incubate the eggs for about 18 days. The chicks, known as squabs, fledge after 25-32 days but may continue to be fed by their parents for several more weeks.
Conservation
While Rock Doves are not of conservation concern globally, some cities implement control measures due to their large populations.
Conservation efforts focus on managing feral populations humanely and preventing conflicts with human activities.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for Rock Doves in urban areas, especially near buildings and in city squares.
- Observe their distinctive flight pattern: quick takeoff followed by steady, direct flight.
- Listen for their soft, rolling 'coo-COO-coo' calls, often heard from building ledges.
- In coastal areas, check cliff faces where wild populations may nest.
Did You Know?
- Rock Doves can fly at speeds up to 92.5 km/h (57.5 mph) and have exceptional homing abilities.
- They are one of the few bird species that produce 'crop milk' to feed their young.
- Rock Doves have been domesticated for thousands of years and were the first birds to have their genome fully sequenced.
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