Rock Dove
| Irish Name: | Colm aille |
| Scientific name: | Columba livia |
| Bird Family: | Pigeons & Doves |
green
Conservation status
Conservation status
Status
Resident. Wild Rock doves are restricted to remote areas of Counties Mayo, Galway, Kerry and Cork.
Identification
A typical small pigeon, which can appear identical to Feral Pigeons seen in and around towns. Adult birds have a lead grey head, neck and underparts. There is a small white patch just above the rump, while the wings are pale grey with broad black stripe on the primaries and the secondaries. The tail also has a thick black band on the tail. Juveniles are nearly identical to adults, but lack the colourful neck patch.
Voice
As for Feral Pigeon, a soft "druuuu".
Diet
Cereal grain, seeds and fruits of herbs and grasses, sometimes green parts and invertebrates.
Breeding
Breeds in remote aeas, usually on cliffs near the sea. Very shy and difficult to observe.
Wintering
As far as is known, Rock Doves are resident within their breeding territories. Young birds most likely disperse to new areas.
Monitored by
Nests socially on cliff ledges and coastal caves and crevices. In many areas the populations may be infiltrated by Feral Pigeons reverting to ancestral habits and nesting in similar areas to Rock Doves.
Gather in roosts during winter. Now uncommon in Ireland and difficult to distinguish from feral pigeon. Coastal parts of the Belmullet peninsula are a reliable location to see Rock Doves.
