Rock Pigeon

Columba livia (Gmelin, 1789)

2018-07-21 Issyk-Kul region	© Nurzhan Alymkanova

Biology

Common resident. In wild inhabits the rocky cliffs in low and high mountains at altitudes to 2000-2500 m, the caves, clay precipices, cracks, old grave monuments; in villages and towns hybridizes with feral Dove. Breeds by separate pairs or in colonies up to 25-30 pairs. Nest is built from thin twigs in clay holes, rock niches etc. Clutch of 2 eggs is laid in April to July. Both parents incubate clutch and care for chicks. Rears two or three brood per season. Regularly flies to cereals fields to feeding at morning and in evening.

References

Gavrilov E. I., Gavrilov A. E. "The Birds of Kazakhstan". Almaty, 2005. Э.И.Гаврилов. "Фауна и распространение птиц Казахстана". Алматы, 1999. В.К.Рябицев. "Птицы Урала, Приуралья и Западной Сибири". Екатеринбург. Изд-во Уральского университета, 2000.