10 interesting facts about Rock Dove
- The wild and feral doves are estimated to have a population of 17 to 28 million in Europe itself.
- There are over 289 species of pigeons and doves worldwide.
- Rock doves come in different shades and plumage patterns, including blue-bar, blue checker, dark checker, spread and red phenotypes.
- They navigate by sensing the earth’s magnetic fields and by using sound and smell. They also use cues based on the position of the sun.
- Rock doves can find their way home even when released from a distant location blindfolded.
- They eat food left by people intentionally or unintentionally, like seeds, cake, peanuts, corn, cherries, peanuts, breadcrumbs, oats, currants and littered food.
- These doves are commonly seen gathered in flocks in various urban parks, where people feed them.
- Usually the male doves select the nest place and then coo to attract a mate. The site can be a nook, cranny, or ledge on either cliffs or manmade structures.
- Rock doves reuse their nests many times and do not carry away the feces of their nestlings, the way many other birds do. In time, the lightweight nest grows into a sturdy, pot-like mound that can contain unhatched eggs and mummies of dead nestlings.
- Both the parents take turns in incubating the eggs, which can last from 17 to 19 days.
