rock dove (Columba livia)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONFIRMATION STATUS: Confirmed.

 

IDENTIFICATION:

• Length: 11 inches

• The familiar "pigeon" of cities and parks

• Sexes similar

• Adult similar to juvenile

• Large, chunky dove

• Medium length tail is squared off at tip

• Highly variable plumage (some can be entirely chestnut, white, black              or anything in between)

Typical color morph:

• Dark bill

• Dark gray head, neck and upper breast

• Green and purple iridescence on hindneck

• Pale gray back, wings and belly

• Two dark bars on wings (formed from dark tips to secondaries and          greater secondary coverts)

• Dark gray primaries

• White rump

• Pale gray tail with black terminal band

Similar species:

Other pigeons are wholly dark with different head patterns. All other
species lack double dark bar on wing and have darker wings and backs.

 

LIFE HISTORY

Migration Status: Permanent resident
Breeding Habitat: Urban
Nest Location: N/A
Nest Type: N/A
Clutch Size: 1-2
Length of Incubation: 16-19 days
Days to Fledge: 25-26
Number of Broods: 4-5
Diet: Mostly seeds; lesser quantities of green plant matter, insects

 

SKY MEADOWS DISTRIBUTION/SEASONAL OCCURRENCE

 

Relative abundance and seasonal occurrence are indicated in red below.

 

Relative abundance
     C - Common: Likely to be present in good numbers in appropriate habitat and season.
     U - Uncommon: May be present in appropriate habitat and season, often in low
            numbers.
     O - Occassional: Found in appropriate habitat perhaps only a few times per season,
            sometimes low numbers.
     R - Rare: May not be recorded every year.
     Acc - Accidental: Recorded once or twice, may not be expected again for a long time.

 

Seasonal Occurrence
      Sp - Spring: March, April, May C
      Su - Summer: June, July, August C
      Fall: September, October, November C

      Winter: December, January, February C

 

 

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