Page 234 - Complete Birds of Britain and Europe (DK - RSPB)

PIGEONS AND DOVES
Order Columbiformes Family Columbidae Species Columba livia
Rock Dove glossed tiny white
spot on bill
purple and
green neck
pale
grey
white back
big white underwings two broad,
patch on
back long black
bars across
wings
dark
tail band
IN FLIGHT
larger white
spot
dark
underside

FERAL/ TOWN PIGEON

FLIGHT: fast, swooping; direct flight striking, wings
swept back, quick, deep beats; swoops and glides
around cliffs with wings in steep “V”.
ncestor of the domestic pigeon, the Rock Dove as a truly wild
A bird has long been “diluted” in most areas by domestic pigeons
reverting to the wild state: the “feral” or town pigeons. Only in parts
of northwest Europe do “pure” Rock Doves with immaculate
plumage patterns persist: in most areas, different plumage patterns
and colours are found even in groups DASHING FLIGHT
living entirely wild.The true Rock Dove Rock Dove flocks fly with dash and
is a bird of cliffs, inland or – more agility, their white underwings
particularly in Europe – by the sea, from flashing conspicuously.
which it moves to fields to feed each day.
VOICE Deep, rolling, moaning coo, oo-ooh-
oorr, oo-roo-coo.
NESTING Loose, untidy, sparse nest on
ledge, in cavity; 2 eggs; 3 broods; all year. CLIFF-EDGE BREEDER
FEEDING Forages on fields and rough Ledges and cavities form ideal sheltered nest sites
grassland, picking up seeds, buds, berries, for wild Rock Doves; this nesting bird has a “pure”
and small invertebrates. plumage pattern with an unspotted back.
SIMILAR SPECIES
OCCURRENCE
WOODPIGEON STOCK DOVE PEREGRINE similar Breeds on coasts of Great Britain
white on wings see p.233 in flight;
in flight; rounder see p.143 and Ireland all year round; also on
see p.234 cliffs in S Europe. Feral birds
tiny dark longer widespread, from coastal cliffs to
wingbars tail
city centres, often feeding on
larger arable land.
longer
wings
Seen in the UK
J F M A M JJ A S O N D
Length 31–35cm (12–14in) Wingspan 63–70cm (25–28in) Weight 250–350g (9–13oz)
Social Flocks Lifespan Up to 10 years Status Secure
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