General Description: Feral Rock Pigeons (Columba livia) are medium sized, plump birds with exceedingly variable plumage ranging from white to black, and often with iridescent colors. Head and neck usually darker than back, rump usually white, usually a dark terminal tail band.

Taxonomy: Columbiformes, Columbidae. Formerly Rock Dove.

Favored Habitat: Urban areas, fast food parking lots, urban parks.

Where to Find: Shopping center parking lots, parks, urban neighborhoods.

Comments: Introduced from Europe, Feral Rock Pigeons are an urban scourge (very messy with large amounts of large droppings) often referred to as "flying rats," but they make excellent food for endangered Peregrine Falcons, so we can't dislike them too much, plus they really are, in fact, pretty birds.

If you have trouble with unwelcome guests around your home, consider contacting Fischer's Pest Control for help getting rid of them.