Rock Dove of Britain and Ireland
The Rock Dove, Columba livia , is world-famous as the ancestor of the domestic pigeon. There is only a small population of Rock Doves in Britain and Ireland. Wild populations are found in some remote areas of Scotland and the Republic of Ireland. They are also known Rock Pigeons.
Domesticated forms of Rock Doves became known as pigeons. Some domesticated pigeons escaped into the wild and bred with their cousins, Rock Doves.
Their descendants are known as Feral Pigeons, Columba livia domestica, and are familiar birds in towns and cities across Britain, Ireland and Europe.
Interbreeding between Rock Doves and Feral Pigeons has made assessing the two populations difficult. Birdlife charities have classified both species as the Feral Pigeon population. The Feral Pigeon population has been declining in some areas of Britain in recent years.
Rock Doves are smaller than their cousins, the Woodpigeons. Adults are blue-grey with dark bars on the wings. There is an iridescent sheen on the sides of the neck. Juveniles resemble adults but lack markings on their necks.
Some Feral Pigeons resemble Rock Doves although their colours vary considerably from greys to browns.
Adult Rock Doves and Feral Pigeons begin breeding when they are 1 year old.
The average lifespan of wild Rock Doves is between 3 and 5 years although some live for 8 years.
Rock Doves are sociable birds who live and breed on the sides of remote mountain faces, inland cliffs and sea cliffs, often where there are caves. They are shy birds who are wary of people.
Feral Pigeons are tame birds who congregate around buildings in towns and cities, possibly because man-made structures resemble mountains and cliffs.
Some live and breed in rural districts such as farmland, the countryside and coastal areas. They generally avoid higher ground.
The main diet of Rock Doves is a wide variety of seeds and cereals.
Typical cereals eaten include wheat, barley and oats. The seeds of wild plants such as wild radish, shepherd's purse, dock and buttercups are commonly consumed. The fruits of wild herbs are another source of nourishment.
Feral Pigeons scavenge for a wide variety of human food such as bread as well as grain and plant material in towns and cities.
Feral Pigeons are now found in most lowland areas of Britain and Ireland.
“It is now clear that Feral Pigeons are almost ubiquitous in the UK, nesting in rural as well as urban habitats, and avoiding only the highest ground “No distinction can realistically be drawn between feral birds of domestic origin and true wild-type Rock Doves, although birds of wild-type plumage still predominate on some more-remote Scottish islands” [ BTO – species – please see below).
Wild Rock Doves are resident birds who rarely move far from the areas where they were hatched. Pairs remain on their territories throughout the year. Young birds may disperse further to new areas.
Pure Rock Doves breed in isolated areas in “the far north-west of Scotland, including the islands, and those in the south and west of Ireland may still be pure Rock Doves” [RSPB Handbook of Scottish Birds).
Scottish Rock Doves found on the Inner and Outer Hebrides and parts of the Orkney and Shetland Islands.
Irish Rock Doves live and breed in Counties Mayo, Galway, Kerry and Cork.
Ornithologists are worried about the appearance of 30 domesticated pigeons on the island of Inishbofin and the effects they may have on the wild flock of Rock Doves in the area [Irish Times - https://www.irishtimes.com/news/environment/another-life-close-call-for-our-last-few-rock-doves-wild-originals-of-the-west-coast-1.1975805 ).
There is no breeding season for either Rock Doves or Feral Pigeons as the eggs are laid anytime during the year. However, most pairs raise their young in the spring and autumn.
Pairs of Wild Rock Doves nest in colonies in the semi-darkness of rock and cliff edges in caves. Feral Pigeons use the cavities of building as nest sites.
The nest is an untidy construction of local plants such as grasses, heather and seaweed.
Two eggs are laid in each clutch and hatch after 17 days. The young learn to fly after between 35 and 37 days Both parents care for the young and may raise 5 or more clutches a year.
“Sheltered nest sites protect the young pigeons, or squabs, from the cold. They are fed by their parents on a nutritious secretion from their crop-lining known as “pigeon milk”. While not all feral pigeons nest in winter, around 25% do”
The Rock Dove is classified as of Least Concern by IUCN.
The European population of Rock Doves is estimated to be between 11,000 and 22,000 pairs. The global and European populations are decreasing.
The Rock Dove is a green-listed bird in Britain and Ireland.
The RSPB estimated the population of pure Rock Doves in Scotland as between 1000 and 5000 pairs.
The British Trust for Ornithology said, “Feral Pigeons may be on an upward trajectory, like the other Columba species in the UK”. However, there has been a decline in the English Feral Pigeon population in recent years.
“Recent studies in Europe have suggested that food shortages may affect productivity and that pigeon densities could be reduced where people provide less food for them”.
“It is possible that changes to food availability in urban areas may have affected this species in the UK; for example, pigeon feeding is now banned in Trafalgar Square in London. However, no studies have been carried out in the UK.” [BTO – Species: https://app.bto.org/birdtrends/species.jsp?year=2018&s=ferpi ).
Feral Pigeons are one of the main prey of the growing population of Peregrine Falcons in towns and cities in recent years.
The greatest threat to Rock Doves in Britain, Ireland and Europe is interbreeding with domesticated and Feral Pigeons.
For more information on the birds of the gardens and countryside of Britain and Ireland, please visit,
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