Rock pigeon

Fairly large pigeon with wild and feral populations throughout the world. True wild birds nest on cliffs and in caves from western Europe to central Asia. Pale gray overall with two bold black wingbars and iridescent purple and green on neck. Feral varieties are common in cities and farmland, often in large flocks. Variable plumage: some identical to wild-type birds, but can be completely black, white, or orangey-brown and any combination in between.

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Many colors, one species!

A common sight in cities around the world, Rock Pigeons crowd streets and public squares, living on discarded food and offerings of birdseed. In addition to the typical blue-gray bird with two dark wingbars, you'll often see flocks with plain, spotted, pale, or rusty-red birds in them. Introduced to North America from Europe in the early 1600s, city pigeons nest on buildings and window ledges. In the countryside they also nest on barns and grain towers, under bridges, and on natural cliffs.

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Despite the benefits they bring, it's still good to know how to keep birds off the porch in case they become a nuisance. Here are 5 control measures.

Rock Dove. Photo about columbidae, asia, colour, doves, brood, escaped, established, africa, grey, cities, dove, feral, cliffs, differences, breeding, generally, europe - 47698806

rock pigeon

Rock Pigeon - 19 June 2008 - Charleston, SC. Photo by Cathy Miller