Rock dove
The rock dove (Columba livia, also occasionally known as rock pigeon or common pigeon) is a member of the bird family Columbidae. Rock doves are now rare in the wild, only found on remote islands and rocky cliffs in the far west and south of Europe east to central Asia. Domesticated birds which have become feral, most often called feral pigeons or simply pigeons, can however be found in cities, towns and villages all over the world, picking up dropped food in streets and parks, and begging food from people. Domesticated pigeons are also kept as poultry for food, and as homing pigeons, for the sport of pigeon racing.
| Rock dove | |
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| Wild rock doves in Shetland, Scotland. | |
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| Genus: | Columba |
| Species: | C. livia |
| Binomial name | |
| Columba livia Gmelin, 1789 | |
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| Distribution. Red: wild range. Pink: domesticated range. | |
The wild rock dove is very distinct, with a light grey back and body with two black stripes on its wings, and a dark blue-grey head with shiny feathers on the side of the neck which reflect green and purple light. Domesticated birds are much more variable, with a wide range of colours, including white, pink, and brown not seen in wild birds.
