Wyoming · Year-round resident

Rock Pigeons in Wyoming

When rock pigeons are present in Wyoming, when they nest, which native Wyoming plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 3a–5b yard.

Pigeons and doves (Columbidae)Rock PigeonColumba livia
Status in Wyoming
Year-round resident
Nesting window
February–December
Broods
Up to 6 per season
Hardiness zones
USDA 3a–5b

When to expect rock pigeons in Wyoming

Rock Pigeons live in Wyoming all year. Cold, very windy winters. That makes the cold months the time your yard matters most to them.

Semi-arid high plains and basins with major mountain ranges; most towns lie above 5,000 ft.

Nesting in Wyoming

Across Wyoming, rock pigeons typically nest from February–December. Plan around that window: January for setup, December for clean-out.

Short, warm summers with cool nights.

  • Rock Pigeons don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as rabbitbrush for nest sites.
  • Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after December.

Native Wyoming plants that attract rock pigeons

Of the regional native plants we track for Wyoming, these 8 provide food or cover rock pigeons use:

Wild bergamot
Monarda fistulosa · Perennial

Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.

Black-eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta · Perennial

Prolific seed heads for finches and sparrows.

Common sunflower
Helianthus annuus · Perennial

Annual native sunflower — the original feeder seed.

New England aster
Symphyotrichum novae-angliae · Perennial

Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.

Little bluestem
Schizachyrium scoparium · Perennial

Native bunchgrass; winter seed and ground cover for sparrows and juncos.

Tall goldenrod
Solidago altissima · Perennial

Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.

Rocky Mountain bee plant
Cleome serrulata · Perennial

Nectar-rich in summer, seed for finches in fall.

Rabbitbrush
Ericameria nauseosa · Shrub

Late-season bloom supports insects; seed for sparrows.

Feeding rock pigeons through the Wyoming year

  • Top foods: None recommended — flocks crowd out other feeder birds.
  • In Wyoming's winter: Cold, very windy winters.

Full diet breakdown for rock pigeons · Best feeder for rock pigeons

Frequently asked

Are rock pigeons in Wyoming year-round?

Yes. Rock Pigeons are year-round residents in Wyoming.

When do rock pigeons nest in Wyoming?

Nesting in Wyoming typically runs February–December, with up to 6 per season. Clutches are 1–3 eggs, incubated for 17–19 days.

What native plants attract rock pigeons in Wyoming?

Wild bergamot, Black-eyed Susan, Common sunflower, New England aster, Little bluestem, Tall goldenrod, Rocky Mountain bee plant, Rabbitbrush are native plants in Wyoming that provide food or cover for rock pigeons.

Rock Pigeons in other regions

Other backyard birds in Wyoming

Black-capped ChickadeeDowny WoodpeckerHairy WoodpeckerAmerican GoldfinchWhite-breasted NuthatchHouse WrenBlue JayHouse FinchMourning DoveAmerican RobinDark-eyed JuncoSong SparrowChipping SparrowNorthern FlickerRed-headed WoodpeckerRed-breasted NuthatchBrown CreeperCommon GrackleRed-winged BlackbirdEvening GrosbeakPine SiskinCommon RedpollGray CatbirdBrown ThrasherCedar WaxwingTree SwallowBarn SwallowYellow-rumped WarblerEastern Screech-OwlEastern KingbirdAmerican Tree SparrowHouse SparrowEuropean StarlingSteller's JayWoodhouse's Scrub-JayBlack-billed MagpieCanada JayMountain ChickadeeBushtitJuniper TitmousePygmy NuthatchBlack-chinned HummingbirdBroad-tailed HummingbirdLesser GoldfinchCassin's FinchSpotted TowheeMountain BluebirdSay's PhoebeWhite-crowned SparrowFox SparrowViolet-green SwallowBlack-headed GrosbeakLazuli BuntingBullock's OrioleEurasian Collared-DoveAmerican CrowCommon RavenCooper's HawkSharp-shinned HawkRed-tailed HawkGreat Horned OwlAmerican KestrelWild TurkeyMallardGreat Blue HeronBelted KingfisherBrown-headed CowbirdRuby-crowned KingletGolden-crowned KingletHermit ThrushPine GrosbeakRed CrossbillGray CatbirdWestern TanagerBlack-throated SparrowLark SparrowGreen-tailed TowheePinyon JayClark's NutcrackerWestern Screech-OwlHooded MerganserBand-tailed PigeonYellow WarblerCommon YellowthroatAmerican RedstartYellow-breasted ChatOrange-crowned WarblerRed-eyed VireoWarbling VireoLeast FlycatcherWestern KingbirdAsh-throated FlycatcherCliff SwallowNorthern Rough-winged SwallowBank SwallowCommon NighthawkCanada GooseAmerican CootKilldeerSpotted SandpiperBlack-crowned Night HeronTurkey VultureOspreyBald EagleMerlinPeregrine FalconNorthern Saw-whet OwlBurrowing OwlLewis's WoodpeckerBlack-backed WoodpeckerAmerican Three-toed WoodpeckerSavannah SparrowVesper SparrowSnow BuntingLapland LongspurHorned LarkCommon RedpollWhite-winged CrossbillGray-crowned Rosy-FinchBohemian WaxwingBobolinkYellow-headed BlackbirdBrewer's Blackbird

Sources

  1. Rock Pigeon — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  2. Rock Pigeon life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  3. Rock Pigeon — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
  4. eBird region overview and bar charts — Wyoming
  5. USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
  6. Audubon Native Plants Database

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.