A practical guide to bird watching in Sonoma County, California

(Unless otherwise indicated, all phone numbers are in the 707 area code)

The much-maligned pigeon, is formally known as the Rock Pigeon. Until recently referred to as Rock Dove. Also known as Domestic Pigeon, Feral Pigeon, or simply called Pigeon. Mostly feral descendants of domesticated European birds. They were introduced to the New World as early as 1606, according to the Breeding Bird Atlas, quoting other sources. In their native habitat in Britain and Europe, they nest on rocky cliffs. In urban centers throughout North America they mostly use human structures (typically high ledges) for the purpose. It’s safe to say, however, that the Rock Pigeon is a naturalized citizen by now.

Common around human habitation, especially parks. Almost always in flocks. The "natural" plumage is as shown in the photo above--dark head and neck, iridescent patches at the base of the neck, pale back, two dark bands visible in the folded wings, dark wingtips, pale rump, and a paler tail with a dark band at the tip. However, centuries of domestication have created a wide range of plumages. Individual birds can be nearly all dark blue-grey or heavily mottled with white or sometimes even a caramel color. Besides the natural plumage, Sibley recognizes four broad categories of coloration "dark," "brown," "checkered," and "pied." All plumages share at least two characteristics: pink feet and white cere (white swelling at the base of the bill). Although often dismissed by birders as “non-birds,” they are nevertheless pretty when seen up close and they are undeniably excellent fliers that can be fascinating to watch, especially when in large groups.

Further reading:

Bolander and Parmeter, Birds of Sonoma County California, rev. ed., 2000, p. 69 (as Rock Dove)

Brinkley, National Wildlife Federation Field Guide to Birds of North America, 2007, p. 240

Burridge, ed., Sonoma County Breeding Bird Atlas, 1995, p. 74 (as Rock Dove)

Dunn and Alderfer, eds., National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America, 5th ed., 2006, p. 242

Dunn and Alderfer, eds., National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America, 6th ed., 2011, p. 264

Dunne, Pete Dunne’s Essential Field Guide Companion, 2006, pp. 309-310

Ehrlich, Dobkin, and Wheye, The Birder's Handbook, paperback edition, 1988, p. 274 (as Rock Dove)

Fix and Bezener, Birds of Northern California, 2000, p. 198 (as Rock Dove)

Floyd, Smithsonian Field Guide to the Birds of North America, 2008, p. 223

Kaufman, Field Guide to Birds of North America, 2000, p. 194

Lukas, Bay Area Birds: From Sonoma County to Monterey Bay, 2012, p. 80, 145-146, 147, 157

Parmeter and Wight, Birds of Sonoma County California, Update (2000-2010), 2012, no entry

Peterson, Birds of Eastern and Central North America, 5th ed., 2002, p. 196 (as Rock Dove)

Peterson, Field Guide to Birds of Western North America, 4th ed., 2010, p. 206

Peterson, Western Birds, 3rd ed., 1990,  p. 210

Sibley, Field Guide to Birds of Western North America,1st ed., 2003, p. 219

Stokes, Stokes Field Guide to the Birds of North America, 1st ed., 2010, p. 378

Vuilleumier, American Museum of Natural History, Birds of North America: Western Region, 2011, p. 191

Voice: Cornell Lab of Ornithology: All About Birds--Rock Pigeon

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© Colin Talcroft, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013

Unless noted, all photos by the author. If you would like to use one of my images, please ask for permission for non-commercial use with proper credit or commercial use with proper compensation.

ctalcroft@yahoo.com

Rock Dove (Pigeon)

Rock Pigeon, Lucchesi Park, Petaluma, November 8, 2011

Rock Pigeon, Lucchesi Park, Petaluma, November 8, 2011

Rock Dove is highly variable. This bird is mostly white. All-white birds are rare, but occur as well.

1990-2013 Sonoma County data. Graph provided by eBird (www.ebird.org), generated August 1, 2013

EBird reported occurrence in Sonoma County

Rock Pigeon

Columba livia