Winter bird feeder webcam – Domestic pigeon
Photo: Arne Ader
Translation: Liis
Domestic pigeons
Domestic pigeon Kodutuvi Columba livia f. domestica
In our cities and communities about a hundred thousand domestic pigeons live in winter. It can be assumed that the domestic pigeon was the first foreign species to remain in Estonia. Originally brought in from Germany they became already in the beginning of the 20th century settlers in our cities, and today the domestic pigeon is held to be a native species in Estonia.
All are familiar with the domestic pigeon that stays near human settlements. The main colour of the upper parts is dove grey, the rump area white, upper side of wings grey with wide characteristic bands and undersides light. Tail grey, dark at the tip and in flight usually spread out like a fan. Crop area and breast often with a metallic sheen. Eyes dark red, beak dark grey and legs pink. The species characteristic is the white tail base. Length is usually more than thirty centimetres, weight up to four hundred grams – weights-measures only for comparison with some other species …
Domestic pigeons have evolved from the rock pigeon (Columba livia), and carrier pigeons escaped from dovecoats, so the colour of the plumage varies greatly – from white to almost black.
Domestic pigeon observations: LINK
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