By Linda Hunt
We each may have a unique bird species that got us interested in all birds. For me, it was Rock Pigeons. These birds launched my fascination in 1954 when I was 3 years old. My grandmother gave me bread to feed her backyard pigeons. I was amazed that wild birds would gather around my feet. I was hooked!
Rock Pigeons are usually bluish-gray with two black bands on the wing and a black tip to the tail. Most birds have iridescent throat feathers. They are larger than a mourning dove and smaller than a crow. Rock Pigeons are tubby birds with small heads and short legs. Wings are broad but pointed. The tail is wide and rounded. Their plumage is highly variable, and it’s common to see varieties ranging from all-white to rusty brown. Wing patterns may include two bars, dark spots, or can be plain. These birds are easy to identify by sound. They have soft, throaty coos.
Variable in color, Rock Pigeons are bluish-gray with two black bands on the wing and a black tip to the tail. Most birds have iridescent throat feathers. Wing patterns may include two bars, dark spots, or can be plain. The tail is usually dark-tipped. They are larger than a mourning dove and smaller than a crow. Rock Pigeons are tubby birds with small heads and short legs. Wings are broad but pointed. The tail is wide and rounded. Their plumage is highly variable, and it’s common to see varieties ranging from all-white to rusty brown. These birds are easy to identify by sound. They have soft, throaty coos.
In Montana, Rock Pigeons are found in cities and towns, or on farms with livestock. Rock Pigeons stay close to humans, agriculture, grain silos, industrial parks, rail yards, and occasionally rocky cliffs. They are found in city parks where children and older people enjoy feeding them.
Rock Pigeons mate for life. In courtship, a male spreads its tail, puffs up its chest, and struts about, often strutting in circles around the female, repeatedly bowing and cooing. The male chooses the nesting site. They nest on sheltered ledges in cities and around human dwellings. Females build the nests with materials supplied by males. It is a platform of twigs and grass. They may use the same site repeatedly, adding to the nest each time.
The female lays two white eggs. Incubation is by both parents for 16-19 days. Parents feed young pigeons, called squabs, milk that both parents produce. Chicks transition to a mix of regurgitated seeds and grains. Parental feeding continues for several weeks as the chicks mature. This specialized diet and attentive parenting allow Rock Pigeon chicks to grow quickly and prepare for independent living. Maintaining a clean nest is crucial for the young birds’ survival. Chicks leave the nest at about 25-32 days, or later in cold weather. A pair may raise five or more broods per year.
While their diverse diet helps them thrive in cities, overindulging in processed human foods can negatively impact their health. Rock Pigeons employ clever foraging techniquesto satisfy their nutritional needs, using their sharp beaks to peck and scratch the soil for tasty seeds and grains. Their adaptable eating habits are key to these resilient birds becoming successful worldwide.
Rock Pigeons can live up to 31 years in captivity, but their average lifespan in the wild is around 2.4 years. Rock Pigeons are a favorite prey for Peregrine Falcons. Rock Pigeons continue contributing to humanity and wildlife with their waste cleanup habits. Remember, they saved lives during wartime by delivering messages through dangerous war zones.
A grandmother and grandchild feeding Rock Pigeons together may create lasting memories and future interest in birds. It did for me.