Pigeons,Are they rats with wings or not

Rock Pigeons

Cool Facts
Description
Similar Species
Range
Habitat
Food
Behavior
Conservation Status
Other Names
A common sight in urban areas throughout the world, the Rock Pigeon was introduced into North America in the early 1600s. City buildings and their window ledges mimic the rocky cliffs used by wild pigeons.

Cool Facts


Because of their domestic roots, and because people have bred pigeons for many different colors and adornments, feral Rock Pigeons can have a variety of plumages. For a description of the most common varieties, as described for PigeonWatch, go here.


The Rock Pigeon makes a flimsy nest, but it often reuses the location repeatedly, building a new nest on top of the first. Because the pigeons do not try to remove the feces of their nestlings, the nest turns into a sturdy, potlike mound that gets larger month by month. Unhatched eggs and mummies of dead nestlings may also get cemented into the nest.


The Rock Pigeon has such a long history of association with humans, having been used for food and entertainment for over 5,000 years, that the original range of the species is impossible to determine. Escaped (feral) pigeons from pigeon breeders readily form flocks, and wild birds may join them.


Homing pigeons, domestic Rock Pigeons, are well known for their ability to find their way home from long distances. Despite these demonstrated abilities, wild Rock Pigeons are rather sedentary and rarely leave their local areas.


You can help discover new information about Rock Pigeons by joining the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's PigeonWatch.


Description
topSize: 29-36 cm (11-14 in)
Wingspan: 50-67 cm (20-26 in)
Weight: 265-380 g (9.35-13.41 ounces)

Large pigeon.
Color variable, but wild birds are gray.
White rump.
Rounded tail, usually with dark tip.
Pale gray wings have two black bars.
Wings broad with moderately pointed wingtips.

Gender Differences
Genders look alike, but male averages larger and has more iridescence on neck.

Immature
Juvenile similar to adult, but duller and with less iridescence.

Similar Species

Mourning Dove is slim, with long, pointed tail with white outer tail feathers.
Band-tailed Pigeon has a dark rump and the tail tip is lighter than the base.
Red-billed and White-crowned pigeons have dark rumps and dark underwings.

Sound
Song a rolling "Coo, rooc'too-coo."

»listen to songs of this species
top

Range
Range Map


© 2003 Cornell Lab of OrnithologyAbout the mapSummer Range
Resident from southern Alaska and Canada, southward throughout the Americas. Introduced throughout the world.

Habitat
Found around rocky cliffs, urban areas, and agricultural areas.

Food
Seeds, fruits, rarely invertebrates.

Behavior
Foraging
Feeds on ground, in flocks.

Reproduction
Nest Type
Flimsy platform of straw and sticks, put on ledge, under cover. Often window ledges of buildings.

Egg Description
White.
Incubation period 18.5 days.

Clutch Size
Usually 2 eggs. Range: 1-3.
Condition at Hatching
Helpless, with sparse yellow or white down.
Chicks fledge in 25-32 days (45 days in midwinter).


Other Names
Pigeon biset (French)
Paloma bravia (Spanish)
Rock Dove, Domestic Pigeon (English)


I dont think their rats with wings.