Groovy dove: description of the breed and habitat, role in human life

Groovy doves are considered one of the most famous species of birds that can be found in the city. Birds can often be seen in city squares, parks and squares. At the same time, the birds are characterized by a wide distribution. They are undemanding to food and living conditions. Such pigeons have certain features in appearance.

General Description of the Rock Pigeon

The rock dove, or Columba Livia, has been known to people since ancient times. These birds are characterized by a number of features. They have a large and slightly elongated body. It reaches 37-40 centimeters.

Birds have small heads. In this case, the beak is slightly blunt and rounded near the end. In length, it practically does not exceed 2.5 centimeters and is distinguished by a dark tint.

Birds are characterized by a short neck. At the same time, the goiter is clearly expressed and is distinguished by an interesting color of feathers. The tail has a rounded end. Its length is 13-14 centimeters. The tail feathers are trimmed with contrasting black.

These birds are characterized by wings with a wide base and a pointed end. The flight feathers have dark thin stripes. The wingspan can be 65-72 centimeters. They are usually quite strong and sturdy.

Doves most often have yellow or golden eyes. They are characterized by clear and voluminous vision. Birds easily find the right points in open areas and are able to distinguish between shades.

Birds are characterized by short legs. Most often they are black or pink in color. There are also forelock and shaggy birds.

Habitats

This type of bird is found on all continents. They are absent only in Antarctica. Most often, birds settle in Eurasia and Africa. Wild birds love the highlands. They are found at a height of 2.5-3 meters.

Birds often live not far from grassy plains, near which there are flowing reservoirs. Pigeons build their nests in rocks, ravines and other secluded places far from people. At the same time, birds do not like to live in dense forests or in open areas.

Besides this, gray pigeons can also live in urban areas - in large garden areas, in parks, on rooftops, in buildings. In the villages, flocks of birds meet at the current, where they keep and grind grain. However, in such an area, birds can be seen much less often.

Behavior and lifestyle

Groovy pigeons are exclusively diurnal. During this period they eat and fly a lot. However, other features of behavior are possible in urban conditions. Pigeons are able to remain active after sunset if the streets are well lit. Most of the time, birds move on the ground in search of food. If necessary, they can rest sitting on the ground. Pigeons spend a maximum of 30% of their waking time on flights.

Birds sleep at night. Usually females are located in nests, and males are located nearby. At the same time, they protect females and cubs. In the morning and in the evening the whole flock flies to the watering hole.

In terms of activity, city pigeons are less active than birds that live in rural areas.This is not surprising, because in the city there are many buildings and suitable food. At the same time, wild pigeons are considered very active. During the day, they can fly over a distance of 50 kilometers. Birds make the longest flights in winter, when finding food can be difficult.

Reproduction of gray pigeons

For rock pigeons, certain features of reproduction are characteristic. This process includes a number of steps.

Pairing

Groovy doves are considered monogamous birds. Their pairs persist throughout life. Puberty begins at 5-7 months. For birds that live in the south, the nesting period lasts all year. For the inhabitants of the northern regions, it falls on March-October.

At the initial stage of mating games, the male takes care of the female. He accompanies her everywhere. At the same time, the male performs a special mating dance.It puffs out its neck and leans towards the ground with spread wings. At this time, birds make specific sounds - mating cooing. Sometimes these games go on for several weeks. When the female accepts the courtship of the male, the pigeons clean their feathers. The end of the mating season is the cloacal kiss, which is sexual intercourse. It lasts a few minutes.

Preparing for nesting

Doves make their nests in secluded places, out of reach of predatory animals. In the wild, this occurs in caves or rocks. In the city, birds nest in the attics or secluded places of buildings.

Branches, grass, fine clay are used to form nests. The male searches for materials, while the female makes a dwelling. Pigeons use their nests several times. They have a simple structure and resemble a bunch of branches that are held together with blades of grass.

Raising offspring

Chicks appear on the 17th day from the start of laying. Pigeons are born completely blind. At the same time, their body is covered with a rare and long yellow fluff. From the first day, parents feed their cubs with pigeon milk. This is done 4 times a day.

At week 2, seeds are introduced into the diet, which are digested in the parent crop. At this time, 2 feedings are enough. Gradually, the yellow fluff is replaced by gray, and after that feathers grow on the body of the chicks. City pigeons leave the nest after 17 days, wild pigeons - after 25. However, the male continues to follow them. Birds reach full maturity by the 32nd day of life. At this stage, they are excellent fliers and can find food.

Role in human life

Groovy doves play an important role in people's lives. And they have both positive and negative effects. The main danger of birds lies in the fact that they are considered carriers of various pathologies.People can catch bird flu or psittacosis from birds. However, direct infection is rare. Quite often, these birds spoil the appearance of streets and buildings, leaving droppings.

The advantages of the joint existence of birds and people include the fact that birds quickly destroy various waste. This helps minimize the risk of spreading bacteria.

Not everyone knows that blue doves are able to determine the weather. These birds subtly feel any changes in atmospheric pressure. They have excellent eyesight and easily navigate the terrain. Therefore, in ancient times, birds were used as messengers.

Natural enemies

For these birds, raptors - primarily hawks - pose a threat. They are very dangerous during the mating season. In addition, quail and black grouse can eat pigeons. Hawks are more dangerous to wild pigeons. "City dwellers" should beware of peregrine falcons. Crows negatively affect the number of pigeons.Ordinary cats are also dangerous for them.

Pigeon nests are ravaged by foxes, snakes, ferrets, martens. Mass epidemics also destroy birds. Pigeons live crowded, because infections spread very quickly. People who can purposefully poison birds are also considered pigeon enemies, because they consider them carriers of infections.

Population and species status

The distribution range of pigeons is quite wide. These birds are found in many cities. The number of livestock does not cause concern among scientists. However, they note that their number is decreasing. Often gray pigeons interbreed with city pigeons.

In some areas, pigeons are becoming very numerous. In such a situation, you have to get rid of them by sea. This is due to the fact that birds have a negative impact on the appearance of cities, have a bad effect on buildings and other structures, their excrement corrodes car coatings.

Pigeons can be sources of torulosis, bird flu, psittacosis. Therefore, the rapid increase in their numbers poses a certain danger.

Thus rock pigeons are not a vulnerable species. Their number is quite large, and sometimes exceeds the permissible norms. Rock doves are not found in the red lists. They do not face existential threats. Therefore, protective measures are not applied to them.

Groovy pigeons are unpretentious to conditions and feed, and therefore their population is rapidly increasing. At the same time, it is important for people to be careful when in contact with birds, since they are sources of dangerous pathologies.