# Rock Pigeon (*Columba livia*) Rock pigeons are friendly birds often seen in parks and cities. They have soft gray feathers and a gentle cooing sound that many people love. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 102 - **Habitat:** Cities, parks, and cliffs - **Also known as:** Columba livia, Livia, Rock Dove ![Rock Pigeon](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426195/objects/4541.jpg) ## Appearance The Rock Pigeon is a plump, grey bird with two distinct black bars on its wings and an iridescent green and purple sheen on its neck feathers. Its rump is typically whitish, distinguishing it from other similar urban birds. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Columbiformes - **Family:** Columbidae - **Genus:** Columba ## Interesting facts - Ancient civilizations used pigeons to carry messages over long distances. - Pigeons are found on every continent except Antarctica. - Pigeons can see ultraviolet light, which helps them navigate and find food. - They can recognize and remember individual human faces for years. ## Special abilities - **Master Navigator:** Rock Pigeon can find its way home from hundreds of miles away because of a magnetic sense and excellent visual memory. - **Super Speed Flier:** Rock Pigeon can reach speeds up to 90 km/h thanks to strong wing muscles, helping them escape predators. - **Pigeon Milk Producer:** Rock Pigeon parents produce 'crop milk' in their throat to feed their young, providing a nutritious first meal. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 30-37 cm - **Wingspan:** 60-70 cm - **Weight:** 0.25-0.38 kg - **Lifespan:** 3-6 years - **Speed:** 90 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 1-2 - **Incubation:** 17-19 days ## Diet & Feeding Rock Pigeons are omnivores, eating seeds, grains, and various scraps found in human environments. - **Primary Foods:** seeds, grains, bread scraps, insects, berries - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Peregrine Falcon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/peregrine-falcon) (*Falco peregrinus*) — A primary predator, especially in urban areas. - **Eaten by:** [Red-tailed Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-tailed-hawk) (*Buteo jamaicensis*) — Preys on pigeons in less urbanized areas. - **Eaten by:** [Domestic Cat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/domestic-cat) (*Felis catus*) — An opportunistic hunter of pigeons, especially fledglings. - **Depends on:** [Human](https://www.snappit.app/explore/human) (*Homo sapiens*) — Pigeons rely on human activity for food and nesting. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch birds from a distance and don’t try to touch or feed them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Rock Pigeon? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Rock Pigeon? 30-37 cm ### What is Rock Pigeon's wingspan? 60-70 cm ### How much does Rock Pigeon weigh? 0.25-0.38 kg ### How long does Rock Pigeon live? 3-6 years ### How fast can Rock Pigeon move? 90 km/h ### What does Rock Pigeon eat? Rock Pigeons are omnivores, eating seeds, grains, and various scraps found in human environments. ### Where is Rock Pigeon usually found? Cities, parks, and cliffs ## Where to spot - [Bloomingdale](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bloomingdale) — District of Columbia, US · Neighborhood - [Broadmoor](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/broadmoor) — Louisiana, US · Neighborhood - [Canal Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/canal-park) — District of Columbia, US · Park - [Cedar Valley Arboretum & Botanic Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cedar-valley-arboretum-and-botanic-gardens) — Iowa, US · Botanical Garden - [Center Square/Hudson–Park Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/center-square-hudson-park-historic-district) — New York, US · Historic District - [Central Park West Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/central-park-west-historic-district) — New York, US · Historic District [View all places to see Rock Pigeon](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/rock-pigeon) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Rock Pigeon: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rock-pigeon)