Our Wild Neighbors
Domestic Pigeon
Columba livia f. domestica
Confirmed city dweller in Southern Canada
© Musée de la nature et des sciences de Sherbrooke
Description of the animal
- Descendant of the Rock Pigeon.
- Small round head, short bill, thickset body, straight, pointed wings.
- Bluish grey plumage, paler on the back.
- Iridescent green and purple on the sides of the neck that attract the eye.
- Two black bands on the wings.
Habitat and needs
- Capable of flying, but most often found on the ground. The Domestic Pigeon is known for its nonchalant approach and soft cooing.
- Feeds in a group, with others of its species. The Pigeon eats virtually anything it finds.
- Is a Canadian citizen year round. The Domestic Pigeon nests under architectural ornamentations and on ledges of buildings.
- Can have five broods per year or even more, with one or two eggs per brood.
Relationship
- Some people like to throw the Pigeon pieces of bread in the park or on terraces. Others cannot tolerate its presence and regard it as a real plague.
- Pigeon excrement dirties houses, cars, monuments; it can even fall on passersby!
- All sorts of techniques are used to control Pigeon populations: poisoning, trapping, introduction of predators, sterilization, and birth control.
- Because of the avian flu, the presence of numerous Pigeons has become a concern.
Living with them
- To keep Pigeons away, don’t feed them. Remove any sources of food by ensuring garbage cans are tightly closed.
- Cities provide the Pigeon with many places to live. Install obstacles on ledges to dissuade it from building its nest there.
Participating cities where this animal has been seen
- Sherbrooke, Québec
- Regina, Saskatchewan
- Vernon, British Columbia
- Moncton, New Brunswick