Rock Pigeon
Columba livia

AKA: Wild Pigeon, Blue Rock Pigeon

Distribution: The original distribution of true wild birds is very difficult to determine because of the history of the specie's long history of domestication & feral populations which are derived from these populations. Predominately wild type populations occur from the Faeroes, Shetland, Orkneys, Hebrides, northern Scotland, western Ireland & possibly the north-east coast of England, through southern Europe including the Mediterranean islands & North Africa including the Canary Island.

Voice: (this call is typical of domesticated breeds of C. livia also)

Description: General coloration is blue grey, darkest on the head, palest on wing shields. Two black wing bars ; black subterminal bands across the tail. Underwing & lower back white. Neck & upper breast iridescent green & purple, the individual feathers of this display plumage are bifurcated. Iris orange, red-orange or golden- orange; orbital skin blue grey which matches the surrounding feathers; bill black, cere powdery white; legs & feet red or purplish red. Females are duller & less iridescence. Juveniles dull versions of adults.  

Nesting: Clutch 2 white eggs, incubation 18 days; juvenile fledge within two weeks & may be fed for another two to three weeks.

NOTES: Many of the pure "wild" populations are showing increasing effects of interbreeding with feral birds; with some pure populations becoming completely submerged into the feral populations.

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