Juvenile: generally browner, lacks iridescence; orbital skin and feet gray. The rock pigeon was introduced from Europe by early settlers; it is now widespread and common throughout the United ...

Wings make a loud clapping sound when flushed. Polytypic. Length 14.5". Larger, with a longer tail than a rock pigeon; blue-gray on the upper parts with contrasting blackish gray flight feathers ...

Several of the birds depicted were rock pigeons (Columba livia), along with a pied kingfisher (Ceryle rudis), a red-backed shrike (Lanius collurio), and a white wagtail (Motacilla alba).

Homing pigeons – a type of domestic pigeon descended from the rock pigeon – are extremely effective messengers because of their innate homing abilities, enabling them to return to their nest ...