Rock Dove

Scientific Name: Columba livia
Malay Name: Merpati Biasa
Chinese Name: 原鸽
Alternative Name(s): Rock Pigeon, Common Pigeon

Range:
Found from North Africa to Palearctic, Middle East, Indian subcontinent and northern China with feral populations worldwide

Taxonomy:
Polytypic. Subspecies are: livia, gymnocycla, targia, dakhlae, schimperi, palaestinae, gaddi, neglecta, intermedia.

Size: 33 cm

Identification:
Adult is typically grey with noticeable darker hood and breast, blackish tail-tip and paler wing-coverts with two broad blackish bars. May also be highly variable with patches of white and brown in plumage and some are entirely blackish.

Habitat: Urban and open areas.

Behaviour/Ecology: Forages on the ground.

Local Status: Common introduced resident

Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2019)

Location: Housing estates, urban gardens, reclaimed lands and any suitable patch of habitat.

Rock Dove at SBG. Photo Credit: Francis Yap

Rock Dove at Punggol End. Photo Credit: Francis Yap

Rock Dove at Punggol End. Photo Credit: Francis Yap

Rock Dove at Punggol End. Photo Credit: Francis Yap