Foraging flights of wild rock doves (Columba l. livia): a spatio‐temporal analysis

Abstract

The first spatio‐temporal analysis of foraging flights of wild rock doves is here reported. Birds living in one of the last relatively pure demes of wild Columba livia in the Mediterranean region (Capo Caccia, NW Sardinia) were observed on their foraging routes and in the course of daily movements to and from the colonial site. Foraging sites were located by systematic searches of colour‐marked birds in the study area.

The pigeons followed rather stable routes in reaching foraging sites, which are mainly located in agricultural fields up to around 19 km from the colonial site. In autumn, doves tended to reduce the extent of foraging flights, feeding almost exclusively on lenti‐scus fruits located near the colony. Foraging flights in spring and summer differed from those in autumn and winter in the patterns of daily activity, the number of birds moving, and the sizes of the flocks. The possible relationships between the spatio‐temporal characteristics of foraging flights and other aspects of the biology of rock doves, especially in the breeding season, are discussed.

Key words:

• Rock dove
• Columba l. livia
• Foraging flights
• Activity pattern

Notes

This paper is dedicated to Richard F. Johnston (Professor Emeritus at the Kansas State University, Museum of Natural History), one of the outstanding student of pigeon biology, remembering the days spent together, observing the pigeons whose behaviour is here outlined.