Rock Pigeon

Columba livia

HOW TO IDENTIFY:

* Length: 11 inches
* The familiar 'pigeon' of cities and parks
* Sexes similar
* Adult similar to juvenile
* Large, chunky dove
* Medium length tail is squared off at tip
* Highly variable plumage (some can be entirely chestnut, white, black or anything in between)

Typical color morph:

* Dark bill
* Dark gray head, neck and upper breast
* Green and purple iridescence on hindneck
* Pale gray back, wings and belly
* Two dark bars on wings (formed from dark tips to secondaries and greater secondary coverts)
* Dark gray primaries
* White rump
* Pale gray tail with black terminal band

Similar species:

Other pigeons are wholly dark with different head patterns. All other species lack double dark bar on wing and have darker wings and backs.