Common name: Feral Pigeon
Scientific name: Columba livia
Family: Columbidae (Pigeons and doves)
Location: Dereham Rail Station
Date: 11 May 2025
Feral Pigeons are birds derived from domesticated populations of the Rock Dove, descendants that have escaped and are living independently from (and often unwanted by) humans, having gone "feral". They are sometimes given the scientific names "Columba livia domestica" or "C. l. urbana", but neither of these subspecific names is accepted by any of the ornithological authorities like the IOC World Bird List or BirdLife International. They are also called City Doves, City Pigeons or Street Pigeons, and (locally, in Britain), Skemmies (sg. Skemmy). Wild Rock Doves, Domestic Pigeons and Feral Pigeons are all the same species and will readily interbreed. Many domestic birds have been lost, escaped or been released over the years, and these gave rise to populations of feral pigeons.