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Rock Pigeon Identification

Rock Pigeon Photos and Videos

Rock Pigeon

Plump bird with small head and straight, thin bill. Plumage is variable, but most common form has gray back, 2 black bars in the wing, and blue-gray head.

© Luke Seitz / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, February 01, 2014
Rock Pigeon

In flight, note black wingbars and broad black band at tip of tail.

© Rob Bielawski / Macaulay LibraryVirginia, January 30, 2016
Rock Pigeon

A common sight in towns and cities around the world.

© Christine Sheridan / Macaulay LibraryNew Hampshire, May 22, 2018
Rock Pigeon

Plump bird with short legs and small head. Plumage is variable; some birds are dark gray with green-purple iridescence on the neck. Tail usually shows a dark band at the tip.

© Don Danko / Macaulay LibraryMaryland, October 14, 2020
Rock Pigeon

Walks and runs with head moving back and forth.

© Sam Zhang / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, September 06, 2020
Rock Pigeon

Occasional variants are pale or rusty colored; often found in flocks with pigeons in standard gray plumage.

© Bob Myers / Macaulay LibraryGeorgia, December 22, 2020
Rock Pigeon

Struts on the ground with head-bobbing motion to pick at seeds and handouts.

© Anonymous / Macaulay LibrarySaint Petersburg, May 12, 2018
Rock Pigeon

Plumage is variable; some individuals can be nearly all white.

© Hui Sim / Macaulay LibraryBritish Columbia, March 21, 2015
Rock Pigeon

A strong flier, capable of sustained high-speed flight.

© Miguel Rouco / Macaulay LibraryCastilla y León, August 12, 2020
Rock Pigeon

Gathers in large flocks in urban areas and on farms. In flight, most individuals have pale underwings and a dark band at the tail tip.

© Arlene Ripley / Macaulay LibraryDelhi, February 11, 2004
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The Four Keys to ID

  • Size & Shape

    Larger and plumper than a Mourning Dove, Rock Pigeons are tubby birds with small heads and short legs. Their wings are broad but pointed wings and the tail is wide and rounded.

    Relative Size

    Larger than a Mourning Dove; smaller than a crow.

    Relative Sizebetween robin and crowbetween robin and crow

    Measurements
    • Both Sexes
      • Length: 11.8-14.2 in (30-36 cm)
      • Weight: 9.3-13.4 oz (265-380 g)
      • Wingspan: 19.7-26.4 in (50-67 cm)

    Shape of the Rock Pigeon© George Chiu / Macaulay Library

Regional Differences

Rock Pigeons with red plumage may be more common in the southwestern United States than in northern and eastern areas.

Regional Photos

Adult (typical) Rock Pigeon
Adult (typical)
© Luke Seitz / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, February 01, 2014
Adult white variant Rock Pigeon
Adult white variant
© Carly Farley / Macaulay LibraryUtah, April 23, 2017
Adult red variant Rock Pigeon
Adult red variant
© Bernardo Alps / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, December 02, 2016
Adult blackish variant Rock Pigeon
Adult blackish variant
© Louis Hoeniger / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, March 21, 2017

Species in This Family

Pigeons and Doves(Order: Columbiformes, Family: Columbidae)

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