Rock Pigeon

Scientific name: Columba livia

The introduced Rock Pigeon has proven adaptable to human activity and structures, and now occurs across the U.S. and southern Canada. One additional reason for the Rock Pigeon’s abundance is the fact that in many areas they can nest year-round, beginning a new nest just six weeks after raising a brood.

While a homing pigeon was once known to live for over 30 years, most wild pigeons live about two or three years. Rock Pigeons can harbor many avian diseases, though they don’t often die from them. Long periods of extensive snow cover can result in starvation.