Rock Dove

Columba livia

Also known as: Rock Pigeon, Common Pigeon, Feral Pigeon, Feral Rock Pigeon, Pigeon

Predict Sightings

Habitat

Ground

Diet

PlantSeed

Active Time

Diurnal

Size

354 g

About This Species

This bird thrives wherever people gather, foraging on scattered grain and food scraps in town squares, station forecourts, and beneath bridges throughout the day. Wild-type flocks with blue-grey plumage and two black wingbars persist on coastal cliffs in parts of northwestern Europe, while urban birds show far more variable colouring. No particular season is needed - flocks are visible year-round and often approachable at close range in city centres.

Ethical Viewing Guidelines

Because populations are typically feral rather than fully wild, legal protections and management approaches vary widely - some regions actively control numbers as a pest species rather than protecting nests, so do not assume the same safeguards that apply to native wildlife.
Many towns and cities prohibit deliberate feeding under local by-laws, so check before offering food.
Where birds are confiding, a respectful distance of a few metres is still sensible to avoid further habituating them or spreading disease through hand contact.

LCAvesColumbiformesColumbidae

Seasonal Activity

14,826,593 sightings · 2000–2026

Citizen science records via GBIF

All monthsThis month

Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Columbiformes
Family: Columbidae

Traits

Diet: PlantSeed
Foraging: Ground
Activity: Diurnal
Body mass: 354 g

Photo

CC-BY-NC-4.0

Occurrence data from GBIF.