The Rock Dove has a dark bluish-gray head, neck, and breast with shiny yellow/green, and rainbow colors along its neck band and wings. Female Rock Doves are not as colorful as the males. The bill is gray/pink in color. Most Rock Doves have two dusky stripes across the wings and one across the tail. On the basis of exterior coloring science put the Rock Doves in different groups.
The Rock Dove is not particular who lives in it environment. It lives in regions in which man inhabits municipalities, grassland and farmer's fields. Usually you find about one dozen birds in a 3/4 mile area in farmers' fields. Feral Rock Doves nest in crevices along rocky seaside cliffs, close to agriculture or open shrub vegetation. In municipalities, the tall buildings tend to replace their normal hill environment. The circumstances that control whether a bird lives in an area depends upon the quantity of food during the winter months and if there are extreme weather changes. If the climate isn't too severe and food is accessible the Rock Dove will stay in the area. The Rock Dove took advantage the effect of humans on the environment. Man provided many different sites for the birds to nest and supplied a year around food resource.
Behavior Rock Doves often walk or run while swaying their heads forward and backward. They fly with an even and straight path. Most are observed during the day, seeking protection at night and in the heat of the day. They group up while perching, sunning, and eating. Both sexes show aggression in the nest region. If the bird is a long range migrant they will nest in the Northeast and spend the winter in Central and/or South America. If the bird is a U.S. migrant they will nest in the Northeast and winter in the southern part of the United States. If the bird is a local migrant he will migrate to a different and warmer part of the region. Some Rock Doves are year around residents as long as food and fair climate are prevalent. The Rock Doves differ in their migratory status. Seasonal movement between breeding and wintering ranges differs with each bird.
Is This a Game Species? This is a "Yes" or "No" question. This depends upon whether your state has a hunting season for The Rock Dove.
