Designed by Paul Smith 2006. This website is copyrighted by law.
Material contained herewith may not be used without the prior written permission of FAUNA Paraguay.
Material on this page was provided by Paul Smith and José Luis Cartes and is used with their permission.
FERAL PIGEON Columba livia
The common town pigeon that has managed to colonise almost the entire globe with the assitance of man. Unkindly nicknamed "flying rats" for their habit of feeding on refuse and discarded food, few people stop to admire the Feral Pigeon. They are much derided for causing damage to buildings with their faeces and even accused of spreading disease, yet people still get enjoyment from going out to "feed the pigeons". Though a million different colour permutations exists, from white, through red, grey and black, it is intersting to note that populations of Feral Pigeons eventually tend to revert back to the "wild-type" plumage provided their is no further assistance from man.
Click on the images to enlarge them.
FIGURE 1 - (FPAVE1110PH) Adults "wild-type", PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (José Luis Cartes July 2005).
FIGURE 2 - (FPAVE1111PH) Adult "wild-type", PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Paul Smith February 2006).
FIGURE 3 - (FPAVE1112PH) Upperwing of same individual (Paul Smith February 2006).
FIGURE 4 - (FPAVE1113PH) Flock, PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Paul Smith June 2007).
VIDEO - (FPAVE1114VI) Flock, PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Paul Smith April 2010).
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