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Rock pigeon sitting on a rock

Rock Pigeon

NON-NATIVE INVASIVE: Rock Pigeons, also known as rock doves, come in many different color patterns. The most common is the familiar pigeon look with a pale gray body and wings and a blue head. They have the classic pigeon shape with a small head, short wings, a round body, and short legs.
SCIENTIFIC NAME
Columba livia
CLASSIFICATION
Bird
LIFE SPAN
2-6 Years
SIZE
10-14” | 0.5-0.8lbs
STATE CONSERVATION STATUS
  • Unprotected
FEDERAL CONSERVATION STATUS
Least Concern
GAME STATUS
Non-Game
GAME TYPE
None
Rock pigeon sitting in next between two rocks
Rock pigeon sitting on a rock
Group of Rock Pigeons in an urban area
  1. Washoe
  2. Humboldt
  3. Pershing
  4. Churchill
  5. Mineral
  6. Lyon
  7. Douglas
  8. Carson City
  9. Storey
  1. Elko
  2. Lander
  3. Eureka
  4. White Pine
  1. Esmeralda
  2. Nye
  3. Lincoln
  4. Clark

Habitat & Range

A non-native species, introduced from Eurasia, that has flourished in the western hemisphere. Found throughout Nevada, especially in developed areas.

  • Agricultural Lands
  • Cliffs and Canyons
  • Developed Landscapes

Threats

  • Habitat Loss

Rock pigeons are one of the few animals that mate for life. A single pair can raise five or more broods each year, especially in cities and warmer climates. Each brood has one to three bright white eggs. Both parents take turns keeping the eggs warm until they hatch, a process that takes approximately 16 to 19 days. The young stay in the nest for about a month before they are ready to fly on their own.

Rock pigeons eat mostly seeds and fruits, but they will also snack on invertebrates when they find them. In cities, they are well known for cleaning up after us and will happily eat crumbs, leftovers, and just about anything else that looks like food. (We DO NOT recommend intentionally feeding any birds in public areas and especially not bread – learn more here.)

Fun Facts

Pigeons have an amazing ability to find their way home, which is why domesticated pigeons are often called homing pigeons. They can navigate even when blindfolded. Rock pigeons may be able to complete these incredible journeys by sensing the Earth’s magnetic field, as well as using sound, smell, and even the position of the sun to guide them.
Rock pigeon sitting in next between two rocks