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The feral rock pigeon is the urban-dwelling form of the rock pigeon (Columba livia), the same species from which domestic pigeons are descended.

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Appearance

• Generally gray with two black wing bars.

• Often has a metallic sheen on the neck in shades of green and purple.

• Feral populations can show a variety of colors due to hybridization with domestic pigeons.

Behavior

• Highly adaptable to urban environments.

• Feed on grains, seeds, and human food scraps.

• Can nest on ledges, bridges, and buildings, mimicking their natural cliff-side habitat.

Distribution

• Found worldwide in cities, wherever humans provide food and shelter.

• Original rock pigeons are native to Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia, but feral populations now exist almost everywhere.

Ecology

• Can compete with native bird species in some areas.

• Known to carry diseases that can affect humans and other birds (e.g., pigeon paramyxovirus, histoplasmosis).

• Feral pigeons are essentially wild descendants of domestic pigeons that have adapted to life in cities, making them one of the most common birds in urban areas globally.