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| − | {{Taxobox | + | {{Bird id |
| − | | color = pink
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| | | name = Rock Pigeon | | | name = Rock Pigeon |
| − | | status = LC | + | | latin_name = Columba livia |
| − | | image = Strutting pigeon.gk.jpg | + | | level = 4 |
| − | | image_width = 250px | + | | image_1 = Strutting pigeon.gk.jpg |
| − | | image_caption = Rock Pigeon near the shore in Connecticut
| + | | caption_1 = Rock Pigeon near the shore in Connecticut |
| − | | regnum = [[Animal]]ia | + | | image_2 = Rock pigeons on cliffs.jpg |
| − | | phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]] | + | | caption_2 = Rock Pigeons in their natural habitat |
| − | | classis = [[bird|Aves]] | + | | description = The '''Rock Pigeon''' (''Columba livia''), is a member of the bird family Columbidae, doves and pigeons. The bird is also known by the names of '''feral pigeon''' or '''domestic pigeon'''. In common usage, this bird is often simply referred to as the "pigeon". The species was commonly known as '''Rock Dove''' until the British Ornithologists' Union and the American Ornithologists' Union changed the official English name of the bird in their regions to Rock Pigeon. |
| − | | ordo = [[Columbiformes]]
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| − | | familia = [[Columbidae]]
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| − | | genus = ''[[Columba (genus)|Columba]]''
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| − | | species = '''''C. livia'''''
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| − | | binomial = ''Columba livia''
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| − | | binomial_authority = [[Johann Friedrich Gmelin|Gmelin]], 1789
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| − | }}
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| − | The '''Rock Pigeon''' (''Columba livia''), is a member of the [[bird]] family [[Dove|Columbidae]], doves and pigeons. The bird is also known by the names of '''feral pigeon''' or '''domestic pigeon'''. In common usage, this bird is often simply referred to as the "pigeon". The species was commonly known as '''Rock Dove''' until the [[British Ornithologists' Union]] and the [[American Ornithologists' Union]] changed the official English name of the bird in their regions to Rock Pigeon. | + | The Rock Pigeon has a restricted natural resident range in western and southern Europe, North Africa, and into South Asia. Its habitat is natural cliffs, usually on coasts. Its domesticated form, the feral pigeon, has been widely introduced elsewhere, and is common, especially in cities, over much of the world. In Britain, Ireland, and much of its former range, the Rock Pigeon probably only occurs pure in the most remote areas. A Rock Pigeon's life span is anywhere from 3-5 years in the wild to 15 years in captivity, though longer-lived specimens have been reported. |
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| − | [[Image:WinterPidgeons02.jpg|left|thumb|Feral Rock Pigeons commonly show a very wide range of plumage variation]]
| + | The Rock Pigeon is 30-35 cm long with a 62-68 cm wingspan. The white lower back of the pure Rock Pigeon is its best identification character, but the two black bars on its pale grey wings are also distinctive. The tail is margined with white. It is strong and quick on the wing, dashing out from sea caves, flying low over the water, its white rump showing well from above. |
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| − | The Rock Pigeon has a restricted natural resident range in western and southern [[Europe]], [[North Africa]] and into southwest [[Asia]]. Its habitat is natural cliffs, usually on coasts. Its domesticated form, the feral pigeon, has been widely introduced elsewhere, and is common, especially in cities, over much of the world. In [[Britain]], [[Ireland]], and much of its former range, the Rock Pigeon probably only occurs pure in the most remote areas. A Rock Pigeon's life span is anywhere from 3-5 years in the wild to 15 years in captivity, though longer-lived specimens have been reported. | + | 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 luster and are duller. Eye color of the pigeon is generally orange but a few pigeons may have white-grey eyes. The eyelids are orange and are encapsulated in a grey-white eye ring. Feet are red to pink. |
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| − | The species was first introduced to [[North America]] in [[1606]] at [[Habitation at Port-Royal|Port Royal]], [[Acadia]] (now [[Nova Scotia]]).
| + | When circling overhead, the white under wing of the bird becomes conspicuous. In its flight, behavior, and voice, which is more of a dovecot ''coo'' than the phrase of the Wood Pigeon, it is a typical pigeon. Although it is a relatively strong flier, it also glides frequently, holding its wings in a very pronounced V shape as it does. Though fields are visited for grain and green food, it is nowhere so plentiful as to be a pest. |
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| − | The Rock Pigeon is 30-35 cm long with a 62-68 cm wingspan. The white lower back of the pure Rock Pigeon is its best identification character, but the two black bars on its pale grey wings are also distinctive . The tail is margined with white. It is strong and quick on the wing, dashing out from sea caves, flying low over the water, its white rump showing well from above.
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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. Eye colour of the pigeon is generally an orange colour but a few pigeons may have white-grey eyes. The eyelids are orange in colour and are encapsulated in a grey-white eye ring.
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| − | When circling overhead, the white under wing of the bird becomes 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. Although it is a relatively strong flier, it also glides frequently, holding its wings in a very pronounced V shape as it does. Though fields are visited for grain and green food, it is nowhere so plentiful as to be a pest. | |
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| − | [[Image:ColumbaLivia.JPG|thumb|left|Varying eye colour in Rock Pigeons.]]
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| − | 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.
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| − | [[Image:Rock pigeons on cliffs.jpg|thumb|right|Rock pigeons in their natural [[Habitat (ecology)|habitat]] perched on sea [[cliff]]s. Most pigeons in an urban environment substitute sheer building facades for cliff faces]]
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| | The nest is usually on a ledge in a cave; it is a slight structure of grass, heather, or seaweed. Like most pigeons it lays two white eggs. The eggs are incubated by both parents for about 18 days. | | The nest is usually on a ledge in a cave; it is a slight structure of grass, heather, or seaweed. Like most pigeons it lays two white eggs. The eggs are incubated by both parents for about 18 days. |
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| − | 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 "crop milk" like other doves. The fledging period is 30 days. |
| − | | + | }}<noinclude>[[Category:Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book/Transcluded Modules|{{FULLCHAPTERNAME}}]]</noinclude> |
| − | == Domestication ==
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| − | [[Image:Feral Rock Dove nest with chicks.jpg|thumb|Urban feral Rock Pigeon nest with two nestlings approximately 10 days after hatching]]
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| − | Rock Pigeons 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 [[1 E6 m|1000 km]] away. A special breed, called [[homing pigeon]]s has been developed through selective breeding to carry messages and members of this variety of pigeon are still being used in [[pigeon racing]].
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| − | Pigeons are also bred for meat and by fanciers to develop many exotic forms. Among those forms are the [[carrier pigeon]]s, a variety of pigeon with wattles and a unique, almost vertical, stance ([http://members.aol.com/duiven/highlight/carrier/carrier.htm pictures]). Young pigeon meat is often sold under the name ''squab''.
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| − | 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 as they are not a [[bird migration|migratory]] species.
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| − | 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 Pigeons. The scarcity of the pure wild species is due to interbreeding with feral birds.
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| − | In fact, it is ironic and quite unfair that humans sometimes consider pigeons to be pests, when pigeons' importance throughout human history cannot be underestimated - notably, during times of war, when so-called [[war pigeon]]s have served humans so well with their homing abilities, sharing messages which have shaped human history, and which have earnt many pigeons many war medals such as the [[Croix de guerre]], awarded to [[Cher Ami]], and the [[Dickin_Medal]] awarded to [[G.I. Joe (pigeon)|G.I. Joe]] and to many more pigeons for their services to humans from 1943 to 1946.
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| − | Domestic pigeons are also commonly used in laboratory experiments in biology, medicine and [[cognitive science]]. They have been trained to distinguish between [[cubism|cubist]] and [[impressionism|impressionist]] paintings, for instance. In another project, pigeons were shown to be more effective than humans in spotting shipwreck victims at sea. Current (2004) research in pigeons is widespread, encompassing shape and texture perception, exemplar and prototype memory, category-based and associative concepts, and many more unlisted here (see [[Pigeon intelligence]] and [[discrimination abilities of pigeons]]).
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| − | {{POV}}
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| − | == Feral pigeons in cities ==
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| − | [[Image:PigeonsVermin.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Although feeding them is now forbidden, flocks of pigeons still plague London's Trafalgar Square]] | |
| − | [[Image:Pigeon-in-flight-over-asphalt.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Pigeon in flight]]
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| − | 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:
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| − | *[[Trafalgar Square]] — [[London]]
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| − | *[[Dam Square]] — [[Amsterdam]]
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| − | *[[Martin Place]] — [[Sydney]]
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| − | *[[Piazza San Marco]] — [[Venice]]
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| − | *[[Misir Carshisi]] — [[Istanbul]]
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| − | *[[Rynek Główny]] — [[Cracow]]
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| − | *[[Richard J. Daley Center]] — [[Chicago]]
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| − | *[[Piccadilly Gardens]] — [[Manchester]]
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| − | However, feeding pigeons is now forbidden in many cities, such as at Trafalgar Square in London, where feeding them was once common. Although pest exterminators using poison, a [[hawk]] or nets have been employed at ground level to control urban pigeon populations, the effect is limited and very short term. Pigeons breed when the food supply is good — for wild rock doves this might be on a seasonal basis so they usually breed once a year. In the urban environment, because of their year-round food supply, feral pigeons will breed continuously, laying eggs up to six times a year.
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| − | Feral pigeons can be seen eating grass seeds and berries in urban parks and gardens in the spring, but there are plentiful sources throughout the year from scavenging (e.g. dropped fast-food cartons). Further food is also usually available from the disposing of stale bread in parks by restaurants and supermarkets, from tourists buying and distributing birdseed, etc.
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| − | Long term reduction of feral pigeon populations can only be achieved by restricting food supply, which in turn will involve legislation and litter (garbage) control.
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| − | As a result of the continuous food supply, pigeon courtship rituals can be observed in urban parks at any time of the year. Males on the ground initially puff up feathers at the nape of the neck to increase their apparent size and thereby impress or attract attention, then they single out a female in the vicinity and approach at a rapid walk, often bowing as they approach. Females invariably initially walk away or fly short distances, the males follow them at each stage. Persistence by the male will usually eventually cause the female to tolerate his proximity, at which point he will continue the bowing motion and very often turn full- or half-pirouettes in front of the female. Subsequent mating when observed is very brief with the male flapping his wings to maintain balance on the female. Sometimes the male and female beaks are locked together.
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| − | Nests are rudimentary as for the wild doves and pigeons. Favourite nesting areas are in damaged property. Mass nesting is common with dozens of birds sharing a building. Loose tiles and broken windows give pigeons access — they are remarkably good at spotting when new access points become available for example after strong winds cause property damage. Nests and droppings will quickly make a mess of any nesting area. Pigeons are particularly fond of roof spaces containing water tanks, though they frequently seem to fall into the tanks and drown. Any water tank or cistern in a roof space needs to have a secure lid for this reason. The popularity of a nesting area seems little affected if pigeons die or are killed there — corpses are seen among live birds, who seem unconcerned.
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| − | On undamaged property the gutters, chimney pots and external ledges will be used as nesting sites. Only the larger and more wary [[Wood Pigeon]] (which often shares the same territory and food supply) will build a tree nest, for some reason trees close to roads are preferred.
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| − | The coo-ing of the feral pigeon is almost continuous when birds are on a nest, it is rarely heard at other times except courtship. Males are at least as likely to be on the nest as females, though a pair of birds will attend the nest.
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| − | Pigeons are widely considered [[vermin]], owing to concerns that they spread disease, damage property, cause [[pollution]] with their excrement, and drive out other bird species; they are sometimes dubbed '''sky rats,''' '''rats with wings''' or '''gutter birds'''. Some [[fence]]s and ledges of buildings are equipped with strips of [[bird control spikes]] to discourage pigeons from staying there.
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| − | [[Peregrine Falcon]]s which are also originally cliff dwellers have also adapted to the big cities, living on the window ledges of skyscrapers and often feeding exclusively on Rock Pigeons.
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| − | == See also ==
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| − | * [[Birdfeeding]]
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| − | * [[Pigeon Sport]]
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| − | * [[Tippler]]s
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| − | * [[Homing pigeon]]s
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| − | ==References==
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| − | * ''Collins Bird Guide'' by Mullarney, Svensson, Zetterström and Grant ISBN 0-00-219728-6
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| − | * {{ITIS|ID=177071|taxon=Columba livia|year=2006|date=9 February}}
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| − | ==External links==
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| − | * [http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1_016 Why do pigeons bob their heads?] (from [[The Straight Dope]])
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| − | * [http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/wildfacts/factfiles/3030.shtml BBC Life and Nature] (from the [[BBC]])
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| − | [[Category:Columba]]
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| − | [[Category:poultry]]
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| − | [[Category:Domesticated birds]]
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| − | [[bg:Скален гълъб]]
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| − | [[cs:Holub skalní]]
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| − | [[da:Klippedue]]
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| − | [[de:Felsentaube]]
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| − | [[eo:kolombo]]
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| − | [[fr:Pigeon biset]]
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| − | [[nl:Rotsduif]]
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| − | [[ja:カワラバト]]
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| − | [[pl:Gołąb skalny]]
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| − | [[ru:Голубь обыкновенный]]
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| − | [[fi:Kesykyyhky]]
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| − | [[sv:Klippduva]]
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| − | [[tr:Kaya güvercini]]
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| − | [[zh:原鸽]]
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