Wildlife
Old World pigeons are natives of Europe, Asia and Africa, as the common name would suggest. However, some species - particularly the domestic pigeon - have been introduced elsewhere. There are 35 species of Old World pigeon. All are seed eaters that have thick and muscular gizzards for grinding up their food, with the assistance of some grit. Berries and the occasional insect are also part of their diet, and the feral rock dove of our towns and cities is not averse to the occasional bit of discarded fast food.
The shading illustrates the diversity of this group - the darker the colour the greater the number of species. Data provided by WWF's Wildfinder.
The Old World pigeons can be found in a number of locations including: United Kingdom. Find out more about these places and what else lives there.
The following habitats are found across the Old World pigeons distribution range. Find out more about these environments, what it takes to live there and what else inhabits them.
Discover what these behaviours are and how different plants and animals use them.
Additional data source: Animal Diversity Web
The large bird genus Columba comprises a group of medium to large stout-bodied pigeons, often referred to as the typical pigeons. The terms "dove" and "pigeon" are used indiscriminately for smaller and larger Columbidae, respectively. Columba species – at least those of Columba sensu stricto – are generally termed "pigeons", and in many cases wood-pigeons. The species commonly referred to just as "the pigeon" is the Feral Pigeon (C. livia domestica). It is derived from the Rock Pigeon (C. livia), which also has given rise to the majority of domesticated pigeon breeds, such as the racing pigeon. Meanwhile, "wood pigeon" by itself usually means the Common Wood-pigeon (C. palumbus).
This genus as understood today is native to the Old World, but some – notably the domestic and feral Rock Pigeon – have been introduced outside their natural range, for example in the Americas.
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Mediterranean forest
Mountain grassland
Broadleaf forest
Coniferous forest
Temperate grassland
Urban
Helpless young
Adapted to flying
Acoustic communication
Egg layer