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Location: La Jolla, CA
Date: 2004-04-11
Lens: Canon 400mm F5.6
Date: 2004-04-11
Lens: Canon 400mm F5.6
Rock Pigeon
Columba livia
DescriptionThe Rock Dove (or Pigeon) is one of the most common birds found in American cities and can often be found in large groups. They make active use of building ledges and the underside of bridges for nesting sites. Original nesting sites were along cliff ledges and rocks. When they walk their head "bobs" forward and back as though they were listening to music. They have a soft "cooing" voice. These birds are a non-native North American species introduced from Eurasia.
These birds come in a large number of variations. In general they have a bluish gray head, an iridescent green and purple neck with two black narrow wing bands. They generally also have a whitish rump, reddish orange legs/feet, and a bump on the base of their beak. 10 to 13 inches in length.
Parks, lakes, backyards, and downtown.
Nesting2 white eggs with an incubation period of 16-19 days. Fledging occurs 25-26 days after hatching. The nest is cruedly made from twigs, sticks, and debris. It is built on a window ledge, building ledge, underside of a bridge, or a cliff.
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