Common pigeon (Columba livia)

Also known as:	Rock dove, Rock pigeon
French:	Pigeon biset

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Columbiformes
Family	Columbidae
Genus	Columba (1)

Top facts

• Able to navigate using the earth’s magnetic fields, common pigeons can find their way across large distances even when blindfolded.
• Common pigeons that are found in towns and cities are feral pigeons, descended from domestic pigeons.
• It is thought that common pigeons could have been domesticated over 5,000 years ago.
• Common pigeons are naturally blue, though there are many different colour variations including red, black, and white.

The common pigeon is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List (1).

Information on the common pigeon is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly.

This information is awaiting authentication by a species expert, and will be updated as soon as possible. If you are able to help please contact:
arkive@wildscreen.org.uk

1. IUCN Red List (July, 2011)
   http://www.iucnredlist.org