Columba livia
Cities, bridges, and farms across the continent. Walking track a bit larger than a dove, about 1.5 inches.
What does a rock pigeon look like?
City pigeon. Gray with two black wing bars is the common form. Many colors occur.
What do rock pigeon tracks look like?
A walking pigeon print on concrete or a ledge. The amount of whitewash is usually the sign.
- Walking track a bit larger than a dove, about 1.5 inches
- Often many trails on a sidewalk or bridge ledge
- Iridescent neck if seen
- Whitewash in quantity under a bridge
- Color varies: gray, checkered, white, brown
What does rock pigeon poop look like?
Heavy whitewash and dark droppings under bridges, signs, and roost ledges. Do not handle droppings. Several species carry parasites that stay in the soil around a latrine.
Where you find it
Cities, bridges, and farms across the continent. Typical places: yard. Year-round in much of the range. Some move south for winter.
What to do next
- Watch from a distance
- Do not approach a nest
- If a bird is injured, call a local wildlife rehabilitator
This page is a field guide, not a permit to approach wildlife. If an animal is injured, aggressive, or inside a house, call a local wildlife officer.
Animals it is confused with
- Mourning dove identification
- All animal identification pages
- Identify an animal from a photo, track, or description
What do pigeon droppings look like?
White and dark splashes piled under a bridge, sign, or window ledge.
How to tell a rock pigeon from similar animals
Use the track, the dropping, and the place together. One print is not enough.
- Mourning dove. A small ground-walking print. Slim tan dove, small head, long pointed tail.
Rock pigeon field marks
- Walking track a bit larger than a dove, about 1.5 inches
- Often many trails on a sidewalk or bridge ledge
- Iridescent neck if seen
- Whitewash in quantity under a bridge
Where the sign shows up
Cities, bridges, and farms across the continent. Typical places: yard. Year-round in much of the range. Some move south for winter.
A walking pigeon print on concrete or a ledge. The amount of whitewash is usually the sign. Heavy whitewash and dark droppings under bridges, signs, and roost ledges.
Common questions
What do pigeon droppings look like?
White and dark splashes piled under a bridge, sign, or window ledge.