Species name: Columba livia

The Feral Pigeon is one of the most common birds within towns and cities and can be seen at anytime of year across the whole of the UK. They tend to have a lifespan of 3-5 years and can weigh up to 300g on average. Feral Pigeons have wild ancestor, the rock dove, which is mostly only found in remote areas in rocky sights. (The wildlife trust, ND). However, Pigeons that are looked after can potentially live upto 15 years! (Defender Bird Spikes, 2025)

These birds are often found within flocks, which can be 50-500 birds, especially within urban areas, as they have good food sources and a lack of predators. Within these flocks, they are often very coordinated, using circular flight patterns. The larger flocks often have a higher chance of survival, as it offers safety from predators, makes it easier to find food and they can huddle together for warmth (Flock free, 2016).

One of the key traits used to identify these birds is the two black bars found on their wings. They are also smaller than the other common pigeon, the woodpigeon. However, Feral pigeons can be many different colours such as the classic grey, like rock doves, or can be brown, white and/or black.

Feral pigeons are able to breed all year round, they often form lifelong bonds with the male performing displays of tail dragging and bowing. Both pigeons take responsibility for incubating the two eggs for around 2-3 weeks that the female pigeon produces within their nests, which are often made of twigs, grass and sometimes rubbish, which are often built on building structures. Pigeon young, called Squabs, will often stay in the nest for up to a month until they are able to fly, which is why we very rarely see pigeon young, as by that point, they look very similar to adult pigeons (Defender Bird Spikes, 2025).

The feral pigeon is often considered a pest in many urban areas, due to building nests within buildings, which can be damaging, and their droppings being unsightly, unhygienic, as well as it being acidic and corrosive, which can damage buildings and spread diseases.

Recently within Norwich city centre, where I got these photos, the council has been taking action to try and get rid of the pigeon flock that lives around the city centre market. Some of these strategies were getting a hawk and planning fines for bird feeding. However, these strategies have faced many backlash from the public, with thousands of people signing petitions, wanting the pigeons to just be relocated instead of killed (Devlin. L, 2026).

Yet it was only within the last few decades that Feral pigeons began being labelled as pests, as feral pigeons are descendants of the rock doves, which were domesticated by humans to be used as ‘messengers’ and a food source a few thousand years ago, so they became used to living within close human proximity. But due to them no longer needed for these purposes, they became ‘pests’, yet they still rely on humans for survival, with a large amount of their diet coming from food waste, such as in the market in Norwich.

Within folklore, feral pigeons can often be seen as spiritual messengers to other worlds, which can bring guidance. As well as this, due to their descendants from rock doves, they can be seen are symbols of love and peace, due to their loyalty to their pair.

References

Defender Bird Spikes. “Understanding the Feral Pigeon and Its Behaviour.” Bird Spike Online, 2025, http://www.birdspikesonline.co.uk/Blog/FAQs/Understanding-the-feral-pigeon-and-its-behaviour?srsltid=AfmBOorutMXw11iBeUZMqRfCtjKQlW4lqaWH6pqSpoQa2VGuvfqzvu02. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.

xDevlin, Laura. “Why Are People in Such a Flap about Norwich Market Pigeons?” BBC News, 31 Jan. 2026, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2yjedqd73o. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.

The Wildlife Trust. “Rock Dove | the Wildlife Trusts.” Www.wildlifetrusts.org, http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/birds/pigeons-and-doves/rock-dove. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.

U, Mohan. “Feral Pigeon, Rock Pigeon, City Pigeons or Street Pigeons.” Flock Free Bird Control Systems and Services LLC, 16 Aug. 2016, flockfree.com/blogs/flock-free-articles/feral-pigeon-rock-pigeon-city-doves-city-pigeons-or-street-pigeons. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.