Rock Dove (Columba livia)
(Bird: Columbidae)
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| Feral pigeon (wild plumage). 22nd July, 2009. London (UK). |
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| Feral pigeon (feral plumage). 27th June, 2009. Edmonton (Alberta-Canada). |
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| Feral pigeon (intergrade plumage). 20th July, 2009. Southampton (Hampshire-UK). |
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| Feral pigeons. 19th November, 2011. Santa Barbara (California-USA). |
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| Leucistic adult with wild-type plumage. 20th July, 2009. Southampton (Hampshire-UK). |
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| Leucistic adult. 6th March, 2010. Bentleigh East (Victoria-Australia) |
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| Leucistic adult with albino-like eyes. 20th July, 2009. Southampton (Hampshire-UK) |
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| Hypophaeomelanin schizochroistic or variant leucistic adult. 22nd July, 2009. London (UK) |
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| Hypoeumelanin schizochroistic or variant "cinnamon" leucistic adult showing feral-type plumage. 22nd July, 2009. London (UK). |
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| Hypoeumelanin schizochroistic bird with plumage closer to wild birds. 23rd July, 2009. London (UK). |
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| A variant leucistic adult showing both cinnamon colouration of hypoeumelanin schizochroism and white feathering typical of complete leucism. Feral-type plumage. 4th February, 2010. Bentleigh East (Victoria-Australia). |
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| Partially hypoeumelanin schizochroistic bird with "wild-type" plumage. 7th May, 2007. Southampton (Hampshire-UK) |
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| Melanistic adult. 23rd July, 2009. London (UK) |
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| Melanistic leucistic adult with feral-type plumage. 10th February, 2010. Bentleigh East (Victoria-Australia). |
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| Melanistic leucistic adult. 21st July, 2009. London (UK). |
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| A brownish bird with wild-type plumage. 21st July, 2009. London (UK). |
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| Several odd birds. The two in the center are a slightly melanistic bird (top) and a variant leucistic bird (bottom). Both feature wild-type plumage. 23rd July, 2009. London (UK). |
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| Describing this particular bird would be a bit of a mouthful...it has at least two leucism types (complete and hypoeumelanin schizo), and melanism in the all-dark wing areas. 23rd July, 2009. London (UK). |
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Notes:
Despite what it said about pigeons, there is little doubt that they remain one of the most successful birds in the world. Their adaptability to all kinds of environments except the most extreme is shared by only a few other birds. Unfortunately, nearly all rock doves seen are derived from captive birds. These "feral" pigeons (ssp. domestica) are confiding, tame and urban birds unlike the secretive wild birds that inhabit remote cliffs and rocky areas. Though all "feral pigeons" are rock doves, the species name rock dove should only be used to describe genuine wild birds, the same way pet dogs should not be called wolves.
Extensive captive breeding of this species for racing or otherwise has resulted in the high abundance of several plumage mutations that are otherwise extremely rare in nature. As captive birds do not face the same dangers as wild birds, these mutations are spread to offspring at a much greater rate and over hundreds of years these odd coloured birds may well occur in over 1 in 4 birds.
Outside of Europe they are generally called rock pigeons instead of rock doves. The difference between a pigeon and dove is somewhat arbitrary; doves are usually the more slender and longer tailed birds in the family, whereas pigeons are the chunkier larger short-tailed birds. Both the rock
dove and stock dove are large heavy birds that probably fit the "pigeon" label better.
Despite what it said about pigeons, there is little doubt that they remain one of the most successful birds in the world. Their adaptability to all kinds of environments except the most extreme is shared by only a few other birds. Unfortunately, nearly all rock doves seen are derived from captive birds. These "feral" pigeons (ssp. domestica) are confiding, tame and urban birds unlike the secretive wild birds that inhabit remote cliffs and rocky areas. Though all "feral pigeons" are rock doves, the species name rock dove should only be used to describe genuine wild birds, the same way pet dogs should not be called wolves.
Extensive captive breeding of this species for racing or otherwise has resulted in the high abundance of several plumage mutations that are otherwise extremely rare in nature. As captive birds do not face the same dangers as wild birds, these mutations are spread to offspring at a much greater rate and over hundreds of years these odd coloured birds may well occur in over 1 in 4 birds.
Outside of Europe they are generally called rock pigeons instead of rock doves. The difference between a pigeon and dove is somewhat arbitrary; doves are usually the more slender and longer tailed birds in the family, whereas pigeons are the chunkier larger short-tailed birds. Both the rock
dove and stock dove are large heavy birds that probably fit the "pigeon" label better.
Extensive captive breeding of this species for racing or otherwise has resulted in the high abundance of several plumage mutations that are otherwise extremely rare in nature. As captive birds do not face the same dangers as wild birds, these mutations are spread to offspring at a much greater rate and over hundreds of years these odd coloured birds may well occur in over 1 in 4 birds.
Outside of Europe they are generally called rock pigeons instead of rock doves. The difference between a pigeon and dove is somewhat arbitrary; doves are usually the more slender and longer tailed birds in the family, whereas pigeons are the chunkier larger short-tailed birds. Both the rock
dove and stock dove are large heavy birds that probably fit the "pigeon" label better.
I have seen this species in:
- Europe (GB)
- America (USA-Canada)
- Europe (GB)
The first time I recorded this species:
ssp. domestica: 2nd April, 2006 is my earliest record of the species, with a flock of birds from Hythe (Hampshire-UK). Though I have certainly seen these birds before this date.
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