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By Faisal Ibrahim

Classification 

Physical Description  The Rock dove has a dark bluish-gray head, neck, and chest with gloosy yellowish, greenish and reddish-purple iridescence along it's heck and wing feathers, females tendtp show less iridescence then the males. The beak is dark grayish-pink,two dark bands across the wings.

Diet and Feeding Habits Rock dove feed in the early morning and in the mid-afternoon on the open ground. They eat mainly seeds. in cities, Feral pigeon's also eat popcorn, cake, peanuts, bread, and currants. 

Reproduction Pairs may be formed at any point during the year. These pairs are formed for life, and each bird works cooperatively on most aspects of reroduction and young-rearing. The mest is finished. 

Habitat  Wild rock doves nest in crevices along rocky seaside cliffs, close to agriculture or open shrub vegetation. Feral pigeons live in old farm buildings in rural areas. in cities , the skyscrapers tend to take the place of their natural cliff surroundings.

Role in the Ecosystem   White-winged doves feed on a variety of wild and domestic seeds, grain, and fruit depending on their range and seasonal availability. Domestic grain crops include sunflower, barley, sesame, sorghum, wheat, corn, and safflower.  These doves are important seed dispersers and pollinators, especially of like the cacti such as the saguaro in western states.  The cactus pollen, nectar, fruit and seed provide practicaly all of the needed food and moisture for the desert white-winged doves in summer months.  White-winged doves throw up cactus fruit for their young; after digestion these seeds fall to the shaded ground beneath the nest.

Bibliography  http://animaldiversity.amich.edu/site/accounts/information/columba