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Birds of Zihuatanejo

CLASS AVES

-Animals (Kingdom Animalia)

-Chordates (Phylum Chordata)

-Vertebrates (Subphylum Vertebrata)

-Birds (Class Aves)

-Pigeons and Doves (Order Columbiformes)

-Pigeons and Doves (Family Columbidae)

-Old World Pigeons (Genus Columba)

-Rock Pigeon (Columba livia)

-Feral Pigeon (Columba livia var. domestica)


Rock Pigeons are found in a variety of colours and patterns, although all gray is most common. They forage mostly by walking on the ground, but will sometimes forage awkwardly in trees or shrubs for berries. They often feed in flocks. Their diet consists of seeds, fruits, and occasionally invertebrates. Pigeons also readily eat food intentionally or unintentionally left by people, including bread crumbs and littered food.

Feral (Rock) Pigeon

Columba livia var. domestica

Diet

  • Primarily seeds, grains, and cultivated crops.

  • Also feeds on fruits, berries, weed seeds, insects, and food scraps in urban areas.

  • Commonly forages on the ground in flocks around parks, streets, farms, beaches, and agricultural fields.

Range

  • Originally native to Europe, North Africa, and western Asia.

  • Domestic birds have been introduced worldwide, and feral populations now occur on every continent except Antarctica.

  • Widespread throughout Mexico, including the Zihuatanejo region, where it is common in cities, towns, ports, farms, and other human-modified habitats.

  • Strongly associated with urban areas, buildings, bridges, cliffs, and other structures that resemble natural cliff habitats.

Male / Female

  • Male: Usually slightly larger with a thicker neck, broader head, and more pronounced iridescent green and purple sheen on the neck. During courtship, males bow, puff up the chest, fan the tail, and coo repeatedly.

  • Female: Slightly smaller and less robust, with somewhat duller neck iridescence.

  • Sexes have similar plumage, and differences are subtle, with behaviour during courtship providing the most reliable field clues.

Size

  • Length: 30–35 cm (12–14 in)

  • Wingspan: 62–72 cm (24–28 in)

  • Weight: 230–380 g

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