 Breeding evidence |
 Relative abundance |
 Probability of observation |
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Click on plot to view table of mean abundance
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Number of squares
Long-term BBS trends
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1.32 (0.373 - 2.3)|
Mean abundance (number of birds detected per 5 min. point count) and percentage of squares occupied by region Bird Conservation Regions [abund. plot]
[%squares plot]
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Atlas Results
Rock Pigeons were common in settled and disturbed areas south of the boreal forest being documented in 1,006 atlas squares. Their synanthropic nature is most evident in the probability of observation map where areas of low probability correspond to places with low density of human infrastructure; these areas are generally large expanses of native cover, including heavily forested areas, pastures, protected areas, and First Nations reserve lands. With the exception of Creighton, Rock Pigeons have not yet become established in Saskatchewan's boreal communities. Although Rock Pigeons can breed year-round, no breeding was confirmed between 19 October and 15 March.
Excerpts Adapted from the Birds of Saskatchewan:
Formerly called Rock Doves, and still, very generally, Pigeons, these birds have joined humans in populating the world. They come in many colour phenotypes, including the dominant blue-bar or wild phenotype, and the less common blue checker, dark checker, spread, and red phenotypes (Johnston 1992), "a bewildering variety of plumages? (Lever 1987), the product of selective breeding by humans.
Rock Pigeons are found in both rural and urban habitats. They roost and nest in barns, grain elevators, and abandoned buildings; under bridges; and on high-rise ledges. They forage on the ground in farmland, feedlots, and city parks and streets. In cold weather they huddle together beside chimneys and exhaust vents, or on the sheltered sides of grain elevators and other buildings. Small numbers have reverted to their ancestral habitat, breeding in cliffs such as found along the South Saskatchewan River above Gardiner Dam and along Swift Current Creek (Smith 1996).
"These feral birds are common permanent residents throughout settled Saskatchewan? (Smith 1996).
Original text by Gregory P. Kratzig. Text adapted by Daniel J. Sawatzky
Read more about the Rock Pigeon in the Birds of Saskatchewan here.
Recommended citation: Latremouille, L. M. 2025. Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) in Latremouille, L. M., S. L. Van Wilgenburg, C. B. Jardine, D. Lepage, A. R. Couturier, D. Evans, D. Iles, and K. L. Drake (eds.). 2025. The Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Saskatchewan, 2017-2021. Birds Canada. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan https://sk.birdatlas.ca/accounts/speciesaccount.jsp?sp=ROPI&lang=en [09 Nov 2025]
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