Rocky Dove - description, habitat, interesting facts

The inconspicuous charm of this bird is not immediately noticed. At first glance, it resembles its city counterpart, which is found in any settlement near human habitation. However, these are different species of the same pigeon family. Habits and habits are also significantly different.

Familiar stranger

The full name of the bird sounds like a rock dove. It is given by the place and method of its nesting. A rocky dove breeds its chicks in gorges, caves, on the slopes of hard-to-reach cliffs, and on the cliffs of rivers. In appearance, it is similar to the city sizar, but if you look closely, there are noticeable differences:

1. Mature individual smaller.
2. The color is the same for each bird, the tail feathers are noticeably lighter, 2 transverse stripes are visible on the wings.
3. Keeps in uninhabited places, rarely flies up to housing.

This species became the ancestor of decorative breeds, among which the most famous are dutysh, turmans, curly pigeon, peacocks, and Saxon priest.There are several areas of domestic pigeons, where the main parameter was the practical use of poultry. Types 4: meat, flight, postal and decorative. And they all appeared thanks to the genes of the rocky pigeon.

The bird is very cautious and distrustful, prefers quiet secluded places near rivers, on rocks and cliffs. Observers never noticed him sitting in a tree. The basis of the food is vegetable fodder, where seeds of wild herbaceous plants predominate, in summertime they are diluted with snails, slugs, worms, insect cocoons. In the harsh snowy winters, they can sacrifice personal principles and unite with the city sizar in search of food.

Rocky pigeon family chores

The period of courtship and the formation of couples ends by the first days of April. The creation of a nest begins, which consists of a small notch in a crevice or a cave, approximately at a depth of 40-50 cm, not far from the entrance. The birds do not spend much effort, limited to a scanty litter of several dry blades of grass, a small amount of feathers and a thick layer of litter. Nest niches are used for several years.As soon as the amount of garbage exceeds reasonable limits, the nest is built elsewhere. Usually there are 2 eggs in the clutch, the female incubates them for 15 - 16 days. The male at this time guards the approaches to the nest, angrily reacting to border intruders. By the time of hatching of the first chick, the goiter of birds begins to produce “milk”, which will become the only food for babies up to ten days of age. Then parents bring them a moist grain mixture. After departure from the nest, young individuals stay nearby, and parents feed them. Closer in winter, birds of all ages gather in flocks and fly to wintering grounds.

Doves nest in a colony of 20-30 pairs. So it is more convenient to fend off natural enemies, and there are plenty of them. The most malicious pests that ravage nests have become ravens. Falcons and hawks, too, are not averse to eat chicks, and sometimes adult birds.

Interesting Facts

1. The dove does not sit on the trees. Scientists hypothesized that the bird does not perceive the tree as a reliable object, preferring buildings or rocks. It is believed that this is a kind of system of adaptation to the conditions of life.
2. The myth of "bird milk" turned out to be a reality.Of course, this substance has nothing in common with real milk, but it is the only food for chicks in the first 1 to 2 weeks of life.
3. Pigeons were the first birds that were domesticated by humans.
4. Light, fast tumbling backwards in the air are most likely done by pigeons for pleasure. The practical reasons for such somersaults have not yet been found by scientists.
5. Birds have color vision.
6. Couple is created for life and treats each other with care and tenderness.

The rock pigeon is widely distributed throughout the world, excluding very dry and permafrost areas. His swift and graceful flight often makes one stop and admire the amazing creation of nature.