The rock dove is the wild ancestor of domestic pigeons the world over, domesticated originally to provide food. Feral pigeons come in all shades, some bluer, others blacker - some are pale grey with darker chequered markings, others an unusual shade of dull brick-red or cinnamon-brown, and still others can be or less white while others look exactly like wild rock doves. In urban areas where the numbers are allowed to increase they can become pests.
Key ID Features:
The true Rock Dove has a dark grey head with an irridescent green neck patch, dark, black tipped tail, a pale grey body with distinct double black wing bars and a white rump seen in flight.
The more commonly seen descendant, the Feral Pigeon, is variously patterned and ranges from almost white to virtually black, but is distinguishable in flight from Wood Pigeon and Stock Dove by the dark bordered, pale under wings and white rump.
Scientific name: Columba livia
Family: Pigeons and doves (Columbidae)
Where to see them
The wild rock dove is now found only along the north and west coasts of Scotland, on offshore islands, and on Northern Ireland coasts. Feral, or domestic, pigeons breed almost everywhere apart from upland areas, with the highest density in the most populated urban and suburban areas.
Seen in UK:
All year round.
What they eat
Seeds and cereals.
Text (c) RSPB, used with permission
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Photographer: Tim Tapley
