Difference between revisions of "Field Guide/Birds/Columba livia"
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| − | + | <table border="1" cellspacing="0" align="right" cellpadding="2" style = "margin-left: 0.5em;"><tr><th align="center" bgcolor=pink>''' Rock Dove'''</th></tr> | |
| − | <tr><td align="center">[[image:pigeon10.jpg]]<br>''Rock Dove'' | + | <tr><td align="center">[[image:pigeon10.jpg]]<br><small>''Rock Dove''</small> |
</td></tr> | </td></tr> | ||
| − | <tr><th | + | <tr><th bgcolor=pink>{{taxonomy}}</th></tr> |
<tr><td><table align="center"> | <tr><td><table align="center"> | ||
| − | <tr><td> | + | <tr><td>{{regnum}}:</td><td>[[Animal]]ia</td></tr> |
| − | <tr><td> | + | <tr><td>{{Phylum}}:</td><td>[[Chordate|Chordata]]</td></tr> |
| − | <tr><td> | + | <tr><td>{{Classis}}:</td><td>[[Aves]]</td></tr> |
| − | <tr><td> | + | <tr><td>{{Ordo}}:</td><td>[[dove|Columbiformes]]</td></tr> |
| − | <tr><td> | + | <tr><td>{{Familia}}:</td><td>[[Columbidae]]</td></tr> |
| − | <tr><td> | + | <tr><td>{{Genus}}:</td><td>'''''[[Columba (genus)|Columba]]'''''</td></tr> |
| − | <tr><td> | + | <tr><td>{{Species}}:</td><td>'''''livia'''''</td></tr> |
</table> | </table> | ||
<tr><th align="center" bgcolor="pink">'''[[Binomial name]]'''</th></tr> | <tr><th align="center" bgcolor="pink">'''[[Binomial name]]'''</th></tr> | ||
| − | <tr><th align="center">'' Columba livia ''</th></tr> | + | <tr><th align="center">'''''Columba livia'''''</th></tr> |
</table> | </table> | ||
| − | The '''Rock Dove''' (''Columba livia''), or '''feral pigeon''', is a member of the family [[Dove|Columbidae]], Doves and Pigeons. In common usage, this bird is often simply referred to as "pigeon". | + | The '''Rock Dove''' ('''''Columba livia'''''), or '''feral pigeon''', is a member of the family [[Dove|Columbidae]], Doves and Pigeons. In common usage, this bird is often simply referred to as "pigeon". |
The Rock Dove has a restricted resident range in western and southern [[Europe]] and [[Mediterranean]] countries. In [[Britain]] and [[Ireland]] it probably only occurs pure in the most remote areas. All its haunts are maritime. | The Rock Dove has a restricted resident range in western and southern [[Europe]] and [[Mediterranean]] countries. In [[Britain]] and [[Ireland]] it probably only occurs pure in the most remote areas. All its haunts are maritime. | ||
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The head and neck of the mature bird are a darker blue-grey than the back and wings; the lower back is white. The green and lilac or purple patch on the side of the neck is larger than that of the [[Stock Dove]], and the tail is more distinctly banded. Young birds show little lustre and are duller. | The head and neck of the mature bird are a darker blue-grey than the back and wings; the lower back is white. The green and lilac or purple patch on the side of the neck is larger than that of the [[Stock Dove]], and the tail is more distinctly banded. Young birds show little lustre and are duller. | ||
| − | Little parties will circle over the sea and the cliff tops, when the white under wing is equally conspicuous. In its flight, behaviour, and voice, which is more of a dovecot coo than the phrase of the [[ | + | Little parties will circle over the sea and the cliff tops, when the white under wing is equally conspicuous. In its flight, behaviour, and voice, which is more of a dovecot coo than the phrase of the [[Wood Pigeon]], it is a typical pigeon. Though fields are visited for grain and green food, it is nowhere so plentiful as to be a pest. Like other pigeons it often drinks. |
The bowing courtship, when the metallic lustre of the neck is fully displayed, often takes place on ledges where [[Guillemot]]s and [[Razorbill]]s sit. | The bowing courtship, when the metallic lustre of the neck is fully displayed, often takes place on ledges where [[Guillemot]]s and [[Razorbill]]s sit. | ||
| − | + | [[Image:Feral Rock Dove nest with chicks.jpg|thumbnail|300px|Urban feral Rock Dove nest with two nestlings approximately 10 days after hatching.]] | |
| − | The nest is usually on a ledge in a cave; it is a slight structure of grass, heather, or seaweed. Like all pigeons it lays two white eggs. The eggs are | + | The nest is usually on a ledge in a cave; it is a slight structure of grass, heather, or seaweed. Like all pigeons it lays two white eggs. The eggs are incubated by both parents for about 18 days. |
The nestling has pale yellow down and a flesh coloured bill with a dark band. It is tended and fed on "milk" like other doves. The fledging period is 30 days. | The nestling has pale yellow down and a flesh coloured bill with a dark band. It is tended and fed on "milk" like other doves. The fledging period is 30 days. | ||
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*[[Trafalgar Square]] - [[London]] | *[[Trafalgar Square]] - [[London]] | ||
| − | *Dam Square - [[Amsterdam]] | + | *[[Dam Square]] - [[Amsterdam]] |
*[[Piazza San Marco]] - [[Venice]] | *[[Piazza San Marco]] - [[Venice]] | ||
| + | *[[Tasmajdan park]]- [[Belgrade]] | ||
In some cities feeding them is forbidden because of the [[pollution]] they cause and the danger that they spread diseases. Some [[fence]]s and ledges of buildings are equipped with special vertical wires etc. to avoid pigeons staying there. | In some cities feeding them is forbidden because of the [[pollution]] they cause and the danger that they spread diseases. Some [[fence]]s and ledges of buildings are equipped with special vertical wires etc. to avoid pigeons staying there. | ||
See also [[birdfeeding]], [[pigeon sport]]. | See also [[birdfeeding]], [[pigeon sport]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[nl:rotsduif]] [[sv:Klippduva]] | ||
Revision as of 21:13, 3 June 2004
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| File:Pigeon10.jpg Rock Dove | ||||||||||||||
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| Binomial name | ||||||||||||||
| Columba livia |
The Rock Dove (Columba livia), or feral pigeon, is a member of the family Columbidae, Doves and Pigeons. In common usage, this bird is often simply referred to as "pigeon".
The Rock Dove has a restricted resident range in western and southern Europe and Mediterranean countries. In Britain and Ireland it probably only occurs pure in the most remote areas. All its haunts are maritime.
The white lower back of the Rock Dove is its best character, but the two black bars on its pale grey wings are distinct. The tail is margined with white. It is strong and quick on the wing, dashing out from the caves, flying low over the water, its white rump showing well from above.
The head and neck of the mature bird are a darker blue-grey than the back and wings; the lower back is white. The green and lilac or purple patch on the side of the neck is larger than that of the Stock Dove, and the tail is more distinctly banded. Young birds show little lustre and are duller.
Little parties will circle over the sea and the cliff tops, when the white under wing is equally conspicuous. In its flight, behaviour, and voice, which is more of a dovecot coo than the phrase of the Wood Pigeon, it is a typical pigeon. Though fields are visited for grain and green food, it is nowhere so plentiful as to be a pest. Like other pigeons it often drinks.
The bowing courtship, when the metallic lustre of the neck is fully displayed, often takes place on ledges where Guillemots and Razorbills sit.
The nest is usually on a ledge in a cave; it is a slight structure of grass, heather, or seaweed. Like all pigeons it lays two white eggs. The eggs are incubated by both parents for about 18 days.
The nestling has pale yellow down and a flesh coloured bill with a dark band. It is tended and fed on "milk" like other doves. The fledging period is 30 days.
Domestication
Rock Doves have been domesticated for several thousand years, giving rise to the domestic pigeon. Trained domestic pigeons are able to return to the home loft if released at a location that they have never visited before and that may be up to 1000 km away. A special breed, called homing pigeons has been developed through selective breeding to carry messages and members of this variety of pigeon are still being used in pigeon racing. Pigeons are also bred for meat and by fanciers to develop many exotic forms. Among those forms are the carrier pigeons, a variety of pigeon with wattles and a unique, almost vertical, stance. (See this external link for pictures.)
Pigeons' extraordinary navigation abilities are in part due to the fact that they are able to sense the Earth's magnetic field with tiny magnetic tissues in their head. This is all the more surprising in that they are a non-migratory species.
Many domestic birds have escaped or been released over the years, and have given rise to the feral pigeon. These show a variety of plumages, although some look very like the pure Rock Doves. The scarcity of the pure wild species is due to interbreeding with feral birds.
Domestic pigeons are commonly used in laboratory experiments in biology, medicine and cognitive science. They have been trained to distinguish between cubist and impressionist paintings, for instance (see discrimination abilities of pigeons). In another project, pigeons were shown to be more effective than humans in spotting shipwreck victims at sea.
Feral pigeons in cities
Feral pigeons, also called city doves or city pigeons, find the ledges of high buildings a perfect substitute for sea cliffs, and have become abundant in cities all over the world. Some city squares are famous for them, for example:
In some cities feeding them is forbidden because of the pollution they cause and the danger that they spread diseases. Some fences and ledges of buildings are equipped with special vertical wires etc. to avoid pigeons staying there.
See also birdfeeding, pigeon sport.
