Feral Pigeons

Feral pigeons are among the most familiar and abundant birds in the world, and yet they are rarely the subject of study. This monograph focuses on the population, biology, and behavioural ecology of feral pigeons, and includes an extensive bibliography.

PART I: HISTORY AND SYSTEMATIC BIOLOGY; Introduction; 1. Size, shape, and genetic variation in pigeon populations; PART II: REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY AND DIET; 2. Breeding seasons in feral pigeons; 3. Mate choice and pair bonding; 4. Nestsites and nestbuilding; 5. Eggs; 6. Brood Reduction; 7. Development: nestlings; 8. Development: fledglings; 9. Diet; PART III: PLUMAGE AND FLIGHT; 10. Plumage polymorphism; 11. Maintenance and molt of plumage; 12. Flight; PART IV: BEHAVIOR; 13. Social Behavior; 14. Pigeon colonies; 15. Orientation and navigation; PART V: POPULATION STUDIES; 16. Reproductive success and mortality; 17. Abundance and density; PART IV: SOME ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS; 18. Heavy metals and other pollution; 19. Aspects of the biotic environment; 20. Control of pigeon populations; PART VII: PEOPLE AND PIGEONS