Wildlife
Pigeons are domesticated rock doves that have returned to wild or semi-wild conditions. Some were domesticated for food, others as homing pigeons and some as ‘fancy’ pigeons bred for their plumage. Wild rock doves feed on seeds but the diet of the pigeon has grown to include food discarded by well-intentioned people. With all this food available, numbers are on the up, but these colourful, head-bobbing city dwellers don't have everything their own way. Peregrine falcons are increasingly exploiting them as a food source.
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Pigeons only have 40 taste buds, we have 10,000.
All you need to know about British birds.
Scientific name: Columba livia
Rank: Species
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Underground pigeons
Pigeons in London travel on the underground.
Some people have reported seeing pigeons using the London Underground to get around the city.
Pesky pigeons
Feral pigeons are high on the list of most disliked UK birds, unless you're a peregrine.
Feral pigeons are high on the list of most disliked UK birds, unless you're a peregrine.
Species range provided by WWF's Wildfinder.
The Pigeon can be found in a number of locations including: Africa, Asia, China, Europe, Indian subcontinent, Madagascar, Mediterranean, Russia, United Kingdom, Wales. Find out more about these places and what else lives there.
The following habitats are found across the Pigeon 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
Least Concern
Year assessed: 2009
Classified by: IUCN 3.1
The Rock Dove (Columba livia) or Rock Pigeon, is a member of the bird family Columbidae (doves and pigeons). In common usage, this bird is often simply referred to as the "pigeon".
The species includes the domestic pigeon (including the fancy pigeon), and escaped domestic pigeons have given rise to feral populations around the world.
Wild Rock Doves are pale grey with two black bars on each wing, although domestic and feral pigeons are very variable in colour and pattern. There are few visible differences between males and females. The species is generally monogamous, with two squeakers (young) per brood. Both parents care for the young for a time.
Habitats include various open and semi-open environments. Cliffs and rock ledges are used for roosting and breeding in the wild. Originally found wild in Europe, North Africa, and western Asia, feral Pigeon have become established in cities around the world. The species is abundant, with an estimated population of 17 to 28 million feral and wild birds in Europe.
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Garden birds
Nestcam close-ups, expert identification guides and specialist wildlife cameras give a privileged view of a very British obsession: garden birds.
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Farmland
Brownfield land
Coastal
Desert
Parkland
Temperate grassland
Tropical grassland
Urban
Helpless young
Courtship display
Adapted to flying
Acoustic communication
Herbivorous
Monogamous
Moulting
Egg layer
Social
Visual communication