AnimalsThe rock dove is the ancestor of the city pigeon. Pigeons have an outstanding sense of direction and were used for centuries to carry messages. Both parents feed the young on a rich "crop milk".
Quick facts
- Scientific name
- Columba livia
- Group
- Birds
- Diet
- Herbivore (eats plants)
- Lives in
- Worldwide
- Habitat
- Cities, cliffs and farms
- A young one is called
- squab
- A group is called
- flock or kit
- Conservation status
- Least Concern
How it is classified
Scientists sort living things into groups within groups. Reading down, each step is a smaller group, ending with the species itself.
- Kingdom Animalia
- Phylum Chordata
- Class Aves
- Order Columbiformes
- Family Columbidae
- Genus Columba
- Species Columba livia
Classification follows the GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Other reference works arrange some groups differently. How classification works.
Is it in danger?
The rock dove is listed as Least Concern. The species is widespread or numerous enough that it is not considered at risk of extinction at present.
This is the IUCN Red List category as recorded in Wikidata on 11 November 2026. The IUCN Red List itself is the authority and may carry a newer assessment. What the categories mean.