Fifth and final in the series about the dove species of west Texas. Rock Pigeon (Columba livia). Formerly was named the Rock Dove. Many people still refer them to as doves. Stokes Field Guide to North American Birds describes them as heavy-bodied, broad-shouldered, short-tailed pigeons with relatively short necks and short stubby bills. Dark gray head, irridescent necks, pale gray back. Two dark wingbars show on lower back.
National Audubon Society‘s Sibley’s guide to Birds still refer to it as the Rock Dove or (Feral Pigeon). The third or bottom photo below shows the rare Brown adult.
Rock Pigeon
- Photographed November 5, 2007
- Canon EOS 20D
- Canon 500mm IS lens with 1.4 tele-converter
- 1/250 sec. @ f6.3 – ISO 400
- Lens focal distance – 700mm
- Metering – average
- Aperture priority
Rock Pigeon
- Photographed July 5, 2008
- Canon EOS 40D
- Canon 100-400mm zoom lens
- 1/400 sec. @ f7.1 – ISO 400
- Lens focal distance – 390mm
- Metering – center weighted average
- Aperture priority
Rock Pigeon (rare brown adult)
- Photographed July 3, 2010
- Canon EOS 7D
- Canon 500mm IS lens
- 1.640 sec. @ f13 – ISO 800
- Lens focal distance – 500mm
- Metering – spot
- Aperture priority
Texas Tweeties by Bob Zeller 
Yes, Lynda, I would suppose that you have eaten dove. I think that all of these birds that I have featured this week would be considered the dove family. I researched squab on-line, and some photos that I saw looked suspiciously like Mourning Doves. Thanks for writing. 🙂
Ha-ha-ha! I’ve seen lots of these. Mom and Dad used to raise them and I thought I was special when she fried the eggs for my breakfast. We also used to eat them roasted like chicken. I was only 7 then and can’t remember the flavor. I do remember that they called them “squab” when they served them. Sure didn’t know they were in the dove family!
Pretty! ~ Lynda
PS: So, officially speaking… Does this mean that I have eaten dove? 😉
Nice !
Thanks, Emad.