The common pigeon seen in North American cities is not a native species. The bird known widely as the city pigeon, or more accurately the Rock Dove (Columba livia), is an introduced species that has established widespread feral populations across the continent. These birds are descendants of domesticated stock brought to the New World centuries ago. The Rock Dove’s success in urban environments stems from its ability to use man-made structures as substitutes for its natural cliff-side habitats.
The Common Pigeon’s Old World Origin
The ancestral home of the Rock Dove lies in the “Old World,” spanning Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia. In their natural state, these birds primarily inhabit rocky coastal areas, sea cliffs, and inland canyons where they find sheltered ledges for nesting. This preference for vertical rock faces explains their successful adaptation to nesting on the ledges and facades of modern buildings.
The species has a long history with human civilization, having been domesticated approximately 5,000 years ago. The Rock Doves seen today are the feral descendants of these domesticated birds, which were selectively bred for various purposes, including meat production and the ability to find their way home over long distances. Although their plumage is often highly varied due to this extensive domestication, their fundamental biology remains linked to the wild Rock Dove of Eurasia.
The History of Introduction
The arrival of the Rock Dove in North America is directly tied to the earliest waves of European colonization. Historical records indicate the species was first introduced by colonists in the early 1600s, with specific mentions of its presence at settlements like Jamestown and Plymouth. The birds were transported across the Atlantic.
These birds served practical roles, including being a reliable source of food (squab), a subject for racing, and a means of communication as carrier pigeons. Over time, many of these domesticated birds escaped or were intentionally released, quickly establishing themselves in the colonial settlements. Their inherent adaptability, combined with the abundance of grain and seed from early agriculture, allowed these escaped populations to thrive and spread.
Native Species of North America
While the common city pigeon is non-native, the continent is home to indigenous species within the pigeon and dove family, Columbidae. The most widespread native representative is the Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura), found from southern Canada down to Central America. This dove is easily recognized by its slender body, long, pointed tail, and a soft, mournful cooing call that gives it its common name.
Another native species is the Band-tailed Pigeon (Patagioenas fasciata), the largest pigeon species native to North America, found in the mountain forests of the West. Unlike the Rock Dove, the Band-tailed Pigeon avoids populated areas and is a bird of the woodlands, feeding heavily on acorns and tree mast. This native diversity was once greater, exemplified by the now-extinct Passenger Pigeon (Ectopistes migratorius), a species that once numbered in the billions before being decimated by overhunting and habitat loss.