General

Rock Pigeon: Large, highly variably colored dove; wild form has gray body, dark blue-gray head, neck, and breast, and white rump. Wings are gray with two black bars. Tail is gray and rounded with a dark terminal band. Sexes are similar.

Range and Habitat

Rock Pigeon: Native to Eurasia; introduced and established in most of North America from central Canada southward. Found in agricultural lands, open shrub, and urban areas.

Breeding and Nesting

Rock Pigeon: Two white eggs are laid in a crude nest lined with sticks and debris, built on a window ledge, building, bridge, or cliff. Incubation ranges from 16 to 19 days and is carried out by both parents.

Foraging and Feeding

Rock Pigeon: Eats mostly seeds, but also takes fruits and berries; subsists on scraps in urban and suburban areas; forages on the ground.

Readily Eats

Cracked Corn, Sunflower Seed, Nuts, Milo

Vocalization

Rock Pigeon: Emits soft, guttural coos.

Similar Species

Rock Pigeon: Band-tailed Pigeon has a white bar on nape and broad gray tail band.