pigeon

The pigeon, or rock dove (Columba livia), is a stout, medium-sized bird in the family Columbidae. It is native to Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia but has become widespread worldwide as a feral species, especially in urban areas.

Description: Adults typically measure 31–37 cm in length and weigh about 0.2–0.4 kg. They have a rounded body, short neck, small head, and a short, slender bill with a fleshy cere. Most wild-type plumage is bluish-gray with two darker wing bars and an iridescent throat and neck; females and males look similar, though males are slightly larger.

Habitat and behavior: Pigeons inhabit cliffs and urban ledges, farmland, and other open habitats. They are strong fliers and can cover long distances. They feed mainly on seeds and grains, but will also eat fruits, vegetation, and food scraps in cities. They drink by dipping their beaks into water and swallow by tilting their heads back.

Reproduction: Pigeons form monogamous pairs and typically lay two eggs per clutch. Incubation lasts about 17–19 days, after which both parents feed the squabs. The chicks fledge after roughly 4–6 weeks.

Domestication and human use: The rock dove was domesticated from wild pigeons and has been kept for meat, as pets, and for racing or as messenger birds. Pigeons are renowned for their homing ability and have contributed to scientific research on learning and navigation.

Conservation: Columba livia is listed as least concern by the IUCN due to its wide distribution and large population. In many places, feral pigeons are considered pests rather than a threatened species.