Feral Pigeons

In this book, the authors discuss the feral pigeon (Columba livia) in several chapters: I History and systematic biology II Reproductive biology III Plumage and flight IV Behaviour V Population studies VI Some environmental concerns VII People and pigeons Feral Pigeons Are Among The Most Familiar And Abundant Birds In The World, Urban Creatures Living In Close Association With Humans Yet Possessing The Characteristics Of Highly Adapted Wild Birds. Although Domesticated Pigeons Have Long Been A Major Model For Laboratory Research, Feral Pigeons Are Rarely The Subject Of Study. This Definitive Monograph Focuses On The Population, Biology, And Behavioral Ecology Of Feral Pigeons, Including A Thorough Listing Of Primary References Of U.s. And European Scholarly Literature. Professional And Amateur Ornithologists, Pigeon Breeders, And Students Will Find This An Invaluable And Fascinating Study Of Birds Whose Ancestry Includes Familiar Breeds Of Domesticated Birds. History And Systematic Biology -- Origin And Evolution Of Feral Pigeons -- Feral Pigeons: Natural Or Artificial Entities? -- Origin And Evolution Of The Rock Pigeon -- Origin Of Domestic Pigeons -- Origin And Evolution Of Feral Pigeons -- A Note On Nomenclature -- Size, Shape, And Genetic Variation In Feral Pigeons -- Variation In Size And Shape In Feral Pigeons -- Genetic Variation In Wild, Domestic And Feral Pigeons -- Prospects For The Future -- Reproductive Biology And Diet -- Breeding Seasons In Feral Pigeons -- Avian Reproduction -- Breeding Seasons -- Locally Realized Seasonality -- Factors Affecting Breeding Seasonality -- Mate Choice And Pair-bonding -- Variables Used In Mate Choice -- Nonrandom Choices Of Mates -- The Behavior Of Pair Formation -- Age At First Pairing -- Maintenance Of The Pair Bond -- Nestsites And Nestbuilding -- Nestsites -- Nestbuilding -- Eggs -- Egglaying -- Clutch Size -- Description Of Eggs -- Variation In Size Of Eggshells -- Variation In Shape Of Eggshells -- Covariation In Shape And Physiology Of Eggs -- Incubation, Hatching, And Cropmilk -- Incubation -- Development Of Embryo -- Cropmilk Secretion -- Hatching -- The Brood Reduction Strategy -- Clutch Size And The Natural History Of Eggs -- A Brood Reduction Strategy -- The Evolution Of Brood Reduction -- Development: Nestling -- Early Development -- Behavior -- Seasonal Variation In Developmental Morphology -- Development: Fledglings -- Morphology -- Voice -- Postfledging Care -- Natal Dispersal -- Orientation And Navigation. Richard F. Johnston And Marián Janiga. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [281]-308) And Index. Feral pigeons are among the most familiar and abundant birds in the world, urban creatures living in close association with humans yet possessing the characteristics of highly adapted wild birds. However, they are seldom studied, even though the domesticated pigeon has long been one of the major bird models for laboratory research. This definitive monograph focuses on the population, biology, and behavioral ecology of feral pigeons, including a thorough listing of primary references of U.S. and European scholarly literature. Professional and amateur ornithologists, pigeon breeders, and students will find this an invaluable and fascinating study of a species that has evolved from familiar breeds of domesticated birds. Origin and evolution of feral pigeons 3 Size shape and genetic variation in feral pigeons 17 Breeding seasons in feral pigeons 45 Mate choice and pair-bonding 56 Nestsites and nestbuilding 69 Eggs 76 Incubation hatching and cropmilk 96 The brood reduction strategy 102 Flight 174 Social behaviour 189 Pigeon colonies 201 Orientation and navigation 207 Reproductive success and mortality 215 Abundance and density 227 Heavy metals and other pollutants 239 Aspects of the biotic environment 248 Nestlings 111 Fledglings 126 Diet 135 Plumage polymorphism 147 Feather maintenance and the moult 167 Control of pigeon populations 257 People and pigeons 269 References 281 Index 309 Feral pigeons have developed from domestic pigeons, but are not just domestic pigeons that live in the wild. This book focuses on population biology and behavioural ecology of feral pigeons, and includes a listing of primary references in the scholarly literature. Feral pigeons are among the most familiar and abundant of the birds of the world. They are a major urban pest species, having all the characteristics of highly adapted wild birds. This book focuses on their population biology and behavioural ecology