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Columba livia- Rock Pigeon
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View range map of Rock Pigeon here.
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- The Rock Pigeon was introduced to North America by colonists in the 17th century. The species has become extremely successful and is now widespread across the continent. Common in urban areas, the Rock Pigeon uses city buildings as a substitute for rocky cliff faces. This species has been associated with humans for over 5000 years, and the original range is unknown.
- Plumage coloration is nearly limitless in this species.
- Rock Pigeons forage on the ground for grain and seeds in urban and agricultural areas.
- Rock Pigeons breed throughout the year in much of their range. They build a flimsy nest of sticks usually on a window sill or other part of a building or in a cave or coastal cliff side and use this same site many times. The female lays two white eggs, which both birds incubate for 18 days. The squabs, which are altricial, must be brooded constantly during cold weather.
- The squabs are fed crop milk which is produced by both parents. They fledge after about 30 days in the summer, but after 45 days in winter nests. After which the young will forage for themselves.
- This species is often the victim of extermination efforts in urban areas, but remains abundant.
- Help scientists learn more about this species by joining Project Pigeon Watch or participating in Celebrate Urban Birds.
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Zenaida macroura- Mourning Dove
View range map of Mourning Dove here.
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- Named for its mournful call, the Mourning Dove is common throughout most of North America. The most abundant and widespread dove; the Mourning Dove uses a variety of habitats including agricultural lands, woods, deserts, and urban and suburban areas.
- Mourning Doves forage on the ground, often in flocks, for seeds and grain. The Mourning Dove is unusual in that it drinks by suction, without the need to lift its head back.
- The Mourning Dove produces a whistle during flight, especially during takeoff and landing. This is not a vocalization, but is produced by the wings.
- Once the nest site has been selected. The male collects small twigs and brings them to the female, handing them to her while standing on her back. She then arranges the twigs around herself to form a simple bowl. She will lay two eggs which both birds incubate for about 14 days.
- The squabs are brooded constantly for the first 4-5 days, and are fed crop milk which both parents produce. Gradually this is substituted with seeds, and by fledging the squabs are fed entirely seeds. The male continues to feed the squabs for 12 days after fledging. The female will begin the next clutch.
- Approximately 20 million Mourning Doves are killed annually by hunters in the United States. This represents about 7% of the fall population. Additional hunting takes place in Mexico and Central America, and in total approximately 70 million Mourning Doves are killed each year by hunters. Mourning Doves are also the victim of lead poisoning when they forage in fields where hunting takes place. We must never forget another member of this family; Ectopistes migratorius the Passenger Pigeon. Once the most abundant bird that has ever lived, this species was hunted into extinction by the early 20th century.
- Mourning Doves thrive in suburban environments and frequent back yard feeders. The impact on Mourning Dove populations of the growth in the numbers of Eurasian Collared-Doves, which are expanding rapidly, is not yet known.
- Help this species by participating in Project Feeder Watch.
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