Distribution and ecology
The feral pigeon lives mainly in urban area. © H Van Grouw
Distribution and habitat
Feral pigeons are cosmopolitan and they own there presence mainly to introduction by man. They are found in the tropics and north of the Arctic Circle as well as in temperate regions.
In some areas inhabits caves and cliffs and feeds in open country like the wild rock pigeon. Also breeds and roosts in old buildings, barns, on ledges under bridges and similar places in open agricultural country. Most abundant, however, in towns, especially in the central areas of large cities. Here the sites chosen for roosting and nesting are the nearest edificarian equivalents to the caves, holes and sheltered cliff edges used by wild Rock pigeons.
Nesting
As rock pigeon it prefers sheltered ledges or holes to nest, but the ledges and holes are more often in or on buildings than cliffs.
In Europe may nest at all time of the year if food is available. Most pairs, however, stops breeding with the onset of the main stage of the moult in late August or September. Some start breeding again as soon as the moult is finished in October or November. Others do not lay again until late winter or early spring.
A clutch contains two white eggs. Incubation period is 17 days. The youngsters fledge in about 4 weeks and will be fed for one or two more weeks by the male mainly.