Pigeons - Rock Dove

Introduced into North America from Europe long ago, these birds have been associated with humans for thousands of years.

Rock Doves are thought to have been the first domesticated bird, raised for meat as far back as the time of the ancient Egyptians.

Description

About 13 inches in length with a dark gray head, iridescent neck, with a light gray back and 2 dark wing bars.

Mating Habits

Most will attempt to raise several broods each year. Sometimes as many as four or five broods will be raised in a single year.

Nesting Habits

The female who stays at the nesting site accepts the sticks the male brings to her and places them underneath her.

The nest of the these birds can be found along building ledges, rafters, beams, and under bridges or inside barns.

The nest is saucer-like in shape and made of stems, and leaves.

The female may sit on the nest a day or two before the first egg is laid. Generally 2 white eggs are laid. Both the male and female will incubate the eggs although the female does the incubation during the night.

Incubation last for about 18 days and the young will leave the nest in 25 to 29 days after hatching.

Initially, the young are fed "pigeon milk" (regurgitated food from the parents crops). Over a 10 day period the young are fed increasing amounts of solid food such as caterpillars.

Feeding Habits

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