Wildlife Damage Management, Internet Center for
Date of this Version
December 1979
Abstract
Feral pigeons, problem birds common to most American cities and farms, are descendants of the Rock Dove (Columba 1ivia)of North Africa and Europe. They were brought to America as domestic poultry by the first European settlers and have since escaped. They are not truly 'wild", as their existence depends upon man's activities. An adult pigeon will eat about a pound of food a week, consisting primarily of grain spilled around elevators, railroad yards and feedlots or fed by pigeon lovers.