Rock Dove And Feral Pigeon
Columba livia
  |
|
Distribution Britain 2,086 (+39.2%) Ireland 345 (-14.6%)
Numbers breeding: Britain 200,000 ? Ireland 50,000 ? European status: 5,400,000 (1% in Britain and Ireland =6) British population trend: stable? (+15% BBS) How likely are you to record it? 1246 squares (27.7%) Ranked 37 [55] |
This species of bird varies from a hodge podge of different looking pigeons in city centres, derived from many generations of escaped domestic birds, to the smart, truly wild, double black wing-barred denizens of the far North and West. The mixed birds have been around for hundreds of years but largely ignored by birdwatchers. However many towns and cities have very large populations and they are often a great nuisance to those who wish to keep their properties clean, and a great joy to the tourists in Trafalgar Square! Recently some will have been taken by female Sparrowhawks but the increase of Peregrines, and their spread into towns, may limit the continued growth of the feral populations and even reduce them. The wild populations are safe but the feral ones might be in for a shock!
From
The
State of the Nations Birds
Copyright © 2000 by Chris Mead