Rock Dove
(Genus, species: columba livia)
The rock dove is a very pretty name -- and the bird is
actually pretty too when you step back and look at it.
However, the rock dove is really just the fancy name
for the plain old pigeon we see everywhere! My husband
affectionately calls it a "flying rat" -- it isn't, but it is
a bit of a pest sometimes.
I love to watch them walk around -- their heads bob
when they walk.
|
Used with permission. © Leanne Guenther
|
|
|
General:
Pigeons
live throughout the world including Europe, North Africa, Asia and
throughout all of North America. |
|
Description - male:
The feathers can be a wide variety of colors. Typically they have a dark bill, grey head,
back and belly with mottled dark and light grey wings. They usually have a very pretty
green and purple iridescence on their necks. The birds are
about 11 inches long.
Description - female:
same as male though they tend to be a bit less iridescent.
Description - young:
Nestlings are born with fluffy yellow feathers (they're a bit ugly).
About four weeks after hatching, they
have the same coloring as the parents.
|
Used with permission. © Leanne Guenther
|
|
Feeding:
Rock doves eat mainly seeds, although in cities their diet has been
expanded to include popcorn, peanuts and bits of bread. They flock
while roosting, sunning, and feeding.
|
|
Used with permission. © Leanne Guenther
|
Habitat:
The wild rock doves nest in crevices in rocky seaside cliffs or in open
shrub vegetation. Rock doves have adapted to "human
encroachment" on their natural habitat very well. They nest
on skyscrapers, bridges, old farm buildings (and even under our deck one
year!). |
|
Nesting:
Rock doves mate for life -- they can meet their partner at any time
during the year. Both the male and female help with the care and
raising of the young.
The male builds the nest, and the eggs are laid
shortly after the nest is finished.
In the nesting territory, both sexes are aggressive,
pecking intruders (even people) on the head.
|
Used with permission. © Leanne Guenther
|
|
Migration:
Rock doves do not migrate.
|
|
|
Predators:
Common predators of North American rock doves are opossums, raccoons, great horned owls,
screech-owls, golden eagles, American kestrels, and peregrine falcons.
|
Other neat facts:
Some people breed pigeons to eat -- the meat of young pigeon is called
squab. Some people used pigeons as messengers -- these
"homing pigeons" would be carried by a person who would tie a
message to their leg. Then the pigeon would be released and would
fly "home" with their message. They were so useful
carrying messages during some wars that a few were even given medals.
|
Worksheets and Other Activities:
|
