Pigeons and doves (Columbidae)

Rock Pigeon

Columba livia. Seeds, grain and human food scraps.

Pigeons and doves (Columbidae)Rock PigeonColumba livia

Scientific name: Columba livia
Length: 11.8–14.2 in
Weight: 9.3–13.4 oz
Nest: Flimsy platform on building ledges, bridges and barns
Entrance hole: Does not use nest boxes
Clutch: 1–3 eggs
Incubation: 17–19 days
Broods: Up to 6 per season

Identification

Grey with two black wing bars and an iridescent neck
Endless colour variants from white to rust
Orange eye and pale cere

Voice

A soft, rolling 'coo-roo-coo'.

Diet and feeding

Seeds, grain and human food scraps.

What do rock pigeons eat? · Best feeder for rock pigeons

Rock Pigeons by state and province

Region	Status	Nesting
Alabama	Year-round resident	December
Alaska	Year-round resident	February–December
Alberta	Year-round resident	February–December
Arizona	Year-round resident	December
Arkansas	Year-round resident	January–December
British Columbia	Year-round resident	February–December
California	Year-round resident	December
Colorado	Year-round resident	January–December
Connecticut	Year-round resident	January–December
Delaware	Year-round resident	January–December
Florida	Year-round resident	December
Georgia	Year-round resident	December
Idaho	Year-round resident	January–December
Illinois	Year-round resident	January–December
Indiana	Year-round resident	January–December
Iowa	Year-round resident	January–December
Kansas	Year-round resident	January–December
Kentucky	Year-round resident	January–December
Louisiana	Year-round resident	December
Maine	Year-round resident	February–December
Manitoba	Year-round resident	February–December
Maryland	Year-round resident	January–December
Massachusetts	Year-round resident	January–December
Michigan	Year-round resident	January–December
Minnesota	Year-round resident	February–December
Mississippi	Year-round resident	December
Missouri	Year-round resident	January–December
Montana	Year-round resident	February–December
Nebraska	Year-round resident	January–December
Nevada	Year-round resident	January–December
New Brunswick	Year-round resident	February–December
New Hampshire	Year-round resident	February–December
New Jersey	Year-round resident	January–December
New Mexico	Year-round resident	January–December
New York	Year-round resident	January–December
Newfoundland and Labrador	Year-round resident	February–December
North Carolina	Year-round resident	January–December
North Dakota	Year-round resident	February–December
Northwest Territories	Year-round resident	February–December
Nova Scotia	Year-round resident	February–December
Ohio	Year-round resident	January–December
Oklahoma	Year-round resident	January–December
Ontario	Year-round resident	February–December
Oregon	Year-round resident	January–December
Pennsylvania	Year-round resident	January–December
Prince Edward Island	Year-round resident	February–December
Quebec	Year-round resident	February–December
Rhode Island	Year-round resident	January–December
Saskatchewan	Year-round resident	February–December
South Carolina	Year-round resident	December
South Dakota	Year-round resident	January–December
Tennessee	Year-round resident	January–December
Texas	Year-round resident	December
Utah	Year-round resident	January–December
Vermont	Year-round resident	February–December
Virginia	Year-round resident	January–December
Washington	Year-round resident	January–December
West Virginia	Year-round resident	January–December
Wisconsin	Year-round resident	February–December
Wyoming	Year-round resident	February–December
Yukon	Year-round resident	February–December

Frequently asked

What do rock pigeons eat?

Seeds, grain and human food scraps. At feeders: none recommended — flocks crowd out other feeder birds.

How big is a Rock Pigeon?

11.8–14.2 in long and 9.3–13.4 oz.

Do rock pigeons use birdhouses?

No. Flimsy platform on building ledges, bridges and barns.

Sources

Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.