Feral Pigeon-Rock Dove
Columba livia
Length 33cm

A descendant of native rock dove, the feral pigeon is now widespread and common, mainly in urban areas. Rock dove now local and scarce, confined to rocky coasts mainly in N and W Scotland and parts of Ireland. In some other parts of Britain, feral pigeon has returned to its ancestral haunts on cliffs. True rock dove recognised by blue-grey plumage, two broad, black wingbars, white rump and black-tipped grey tail. A few feral pigeons show ancestral-type plumage but most exhibit wide range of additional or alternative colours and features.