Rock Dove, (Feral Pigeon)
Columba livia

 

 


Distribution of Feral pigeons in North America

For More Information on Feral Pigeons:

University of Michigan Animal Diversity Web

US Dept of Agriculture- APHIS


 
 
Distribution:  
(See Map Below)  Found throughout the United Stated including Hawaii. 
Status in Nebraska:  Feral pigeons can be found near establishments throughout the state of Nebraska.

Origin:  
Native to Europe, North Africa, and southwestern Asia.

Introduction to U.S.:  
Arrived in North America with European settlers in the 17th-century for food and religious purposes.

Characteristics:  
Feral pigeons have a dark bluish-gray head, neck, and chest with glossy yellowish, greenish, and reddish-purple iridescence along its neck and wing feathers. Females tend to show less iridescence than the males. The bill is dark grayish-pink. Their lifespan averages 3-5 years in the wild. Captive pigeons can live for 15 years but some have been known to live for up to 35 years.
Feral pigeons make their nests along rocky seaside cliffs, in old farm buildings in rural agriculture areas, grain elevators, bridges, and skyscrapers. 

Impacts:  
Feral pigeons carry diseases that are harmful to humans.  The most common disease passed from birds to man is Psittacosis but over 40 more diseases can be passed from the feral pigeon to humans.  Fecal damage causes extreme damage to buildings and monuments.

Control Methods:  
Netting-off breeding sites, shooting, trapping, habitat modification, frightening, repellents, toxicants, and nest removal are all effective control methods of feral pigeons.