Rock Dove / Feral Pigeon

Про вид

The Rock Dove, or more commonly in its urbanized form, the Feral Pigeon, is a widespread bird species known for its adaptability to human environments. Originally native to coastal cliffs and mountains, it has successfully colonized cities and towns worldwide, becoming one of the most familiar birds. The 'holub domácí' specifically refers to the domesticated form and its feral descendants.

Розмір і тривалість життя

Довжина

31-37 cm

Розмах крил

62-72 cm

Вага

238-380 g

Тривалість життя

3-5 years (feral), up to 15 years (domesticated)

Харчування

Granivore (seeds, grains), omnivorous in urban settings (scraps, insects)

Фізичні ознаки

Оперення

The wild type (Rock Dove) has a grey body, iridescent green and purple sheen on the neck and breast, two distinct black bars on the secondary wing feathers, and a white rump. Feral pigeons exhibit a vast array of plumage variations due to selective breeding and hybridization, including solid black, white, brown, pied, and various shades of grey with differing bar patterns.

Форма дзьоба

Slender, dark grey to black, with a prominent white cere (fleshy patch at the base of the upper mandible).

Колір очей

Orange-red, with a pale inner ring.

Колір лап

Reddish-pink to purplish-red.

Відмінні риси

The wild type's white rump and two black wing bars are key. Feral pigeons are highly variable but often retain some elements of the wild type's markings, or show a mix of colors. Their characteristic head-bobbing walk is also distinctive.

Зовнішній вигляд молодого

Juveniles have duller plumage, less iridescence on the neck, and their eyes are typically greyish-brown, gradually changing to orange-red. Their cere is less developed.

Сезонні зміни

No significant seasonal plumage changes. Plumage may appear duller when worn before molting.

Статевий диморфізм

Males and females are generally monomorphic in plumage, though males may appear slightly larger and have a more pronounced iridescent sheen on the neck during courtship.

Як визначити

1. 1

   Plumage (Wild Type)

   Look for the classic grey body, iridescent neck, two black wing bars, and especially the bright white rump patch (often visible in flight).

2. 2

   Plumage (Feral)

   Be aware of extreme variability. Look for general pigeon shape, head-bobbing walk, and often a mix of grey, black, white, or brown patterns. Many still show some hint of the two wing bars.

3. 3

   Flight

   Direct, strong flight with rapid wing beats. Often glides. The white rump is a good field mark when flying away.

4. 4

   Behavior

   Characteristic head-bobbing walk while foraging on the ground. Often found in flocks in urban settings, perching on ledges or wires.

5. 5

   Vocalization

   Listen for the soft, guttural cooing sounds, particularly the 'coo-roo-coo-coo' courtship call.

Середовище та поширення

Біоми

Originally coastal cliffs and mountainous areas; now primarily urban and suburban environments, agricultural lands, and industrial areas.

Географічне поширення

Native to Europe, North Africa, and Asia. Introduced and established worldwide, making it one of the most widely distributed bird species.

Висотний діапазон

Sea level up to 4,000 meters in some mountainous regions, but most commonly found at lower elevations in human settlements.

Улюблені середовища

Cities, towns, villages, farms, cliffs, quarries, bridges, and any structure offering ledges for roosting and nesting.

Поведінка

Час активності

Diurnal, most active during daylight hours.

Харчові звички

Primarily ground feeders, foraging for seeds, grains, fruits, and berries. In urban areas, they are opportunistic scavengers, consuming human food scraps, bread, and refuse. They drink by sucking water, unlike most birds that scoop and tilt their heads.

Соціальна поведінка

Highly social, typically found in flocks of varying sizes, especially in urban areas. They roost and feed communally. Monogamous during breeding season, but pair bonds can be fluid in feral populations.

Манера польоту

Strong, direct flight with rapid wing beats. Can be agile, especially when evading predators. Often glides on stiff wings.

Міграція

Non-migratory; resident throughout its range. Feral populations are sedentary, rarely moving far from their established territories.

Територіальність

Generally not highly territorial outside of the immediate nest site during breeding. Flocks share feeding and roosting areas.

Розмноження

Сезон розмноження

Year-round in urban areas with sufficient food, but peaks from spring to late summer (March-October) in temperate regions.

Гніздування

Nests are typically flimsy platforms of twigs, grass, and debris, often placed on ledges of buildings, cliffs, bridges, or in sheltered cavities. Both sexes participate in nest building.

Розмір кладки

Typically 2 eggs, but can lay up to 3-4 clutches per year.

Опис яйця

Usually 2 white, elliptical eggs, smooth and non-glossy.

Період інкубації

17-19 days, shared by both parents.

Період вильоту

25-32 days. Young are fed 'crop milk' by both parents.

Батьківська турбота

Both parents incubate eggs and feed the altricial young with 'crop milk' (a nutrient-rich secretion from the crop lining) for the first week, gradually transitioning to regurgitated seeds.

Де знайти

Польові поради

1. Look for flocks. Rock Doves/Feral Pigeons are highly social and are almost always found in groups, especially in urban environments.
2. Observe behavior. Their characteristic head-bobbing walk and ground-feeding habits are good indicators. Watch for them perching on high ledges.
3. Listen for cooing. Their soft cooing calls are distinctive and often heard in areas where they congregate.
4. Check for white rump. If you see a grey pigeon flying away, a bright white rump is a strong indicator of a Rock Dove or a feral pigeon with strong wild ancestry.

Подібні види

Швидкі факти

Global Distribution:

Worldwide

Diet Type:

Granivore/Omnivore

Sociality:

Highly Social (Flocks)

Nesting Site:

Ledges, cavities (natural or man-made)

Clutch Size:

2 eggs

Цікаві факти

• Feral Pigeons are descendants of domesticated Rock Doves that have returned to the wild, originally bred for meat, messengers, and racing.
• They are one of the few bird species that can drink by sucking water, rather than scooping and tilting their heads back.
• Pigeons have excellent homing abilities, navigating over long distances using the Earth's magnetic field, the sun, and olfactory cues.
• They produce 'crop milk' to feed their young, a unique adaptation shared with flamingos and some penguins.
• Despite their commonality, the wild Rock Dove (Columba livia) is considered vulnerable in some parts of its native range due to hybridization with feral pigeons.

Наукова класифікація

Царство

Animalia

Тип

Chordata

Клас

Aves

Порядок

Columbiformes

Сімейство

Columbidae

Рід

Columba

Вид

Columba livia

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