Domestic pigeon

The dove or pigeon, which is even too easy to come across in the city, is a hybrid derived from the rock dove and other similar species. This is why its plumage can vary to a great extent from one individual to the next.

• Length: 30-35 cm.
• Wingspan: 62-68 cm.
• Plumage: generally grey with head and neck darker and some green/pink reflections on the neck, grey beak, reddish legs.
• Weight: approx. 360 g.

It is granivorous but since by now it is used to living in the city, it also each crumbs and food waste of various kinds. It has exceptionally good eyesight that allows it to identify even the smallest seeds.

It builds nests in recesses and cavities in walls, lays 2 eggs white in colour at a time in several successive clutches. The female broods during the day, the male during the night, for 21 days. For the first 5 days, the newborn are fed with a sort of milk coming from the parents’ crops and later with a mixture of milk and seeds. After a month the young leave the nest and after just six months are able to reproduce.

It is a native and sedentary species. If has found its ideal habitat in cities like Milan, to the point of having to frequently request containment and dissuasion measures.