MyFlorida.com - the State of Florida's Official Web siteMyFWC.comFlorida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commision
FWC LOGO
Ask FWC Boating Fishing Hunting Licenses/Permits 

Viewing

SiteMap

 


 

FWC Home : Wildlife & Habitats :: Rock Dove - Columba livia :

Rock Dove - Columba livia

Florida's Exotic Wildlife. Species detail.

First year: 1966

Extirpated year:

Established status: Populations are confirmed breeding and apparently self-sustaining for 10 or more consecutive years.

Estimated Florida range: 67 counties  At least 10 years

Statewide trend: Stable

Threats to natives:  Droppings are unsightly and can be a health hazard where food and other materials can be contaminated. Control is costly. They carry diseases such as psittacosis, cryptococcal meningitis, histoplasmosis, toxoplasmosis, and encephalitis. Because they mostly inhabit urban areas little impact on native species is expected.

Species Account: Originally native to Africa, Europe and Asia, but populations in the United States are all derived from feral populations. This bird has been ubiquitous in American cities for generations, and its first appearance in Florida is unknown. It can be an annoyance in urban areas with its gregarious behavior and tendency to roost on buildings. It can provide a ready food source for birds of prey.

Habitats: 

Click here for description of the regions

County First Year Extirpated YearBreeding statusNotes
Northwest  At least 10 years 
North Central  At least 10 years 
Northeast  At least 10 years 
Southwest  At least 10 years 
South  At least 10 years 

References

James, F. C. 1997. Nonindigenous Birds. Pages 139-156 In Strangers Among Us: Impact and management of nonindigenous species in Florida. (Simberloff,D., D. Schmitz, and E. Wilson, eds.) Island Press, Washington D.C.

Johnston, R. F. 1992. Rock Dove (Columbia livia) In The Birds of North America No. 13 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.) The Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, and The American Ornithological Union, Washington, D.C.

Pimental, D., L. Lach, R. Zuniga, and D. Morrison. 1999. Environmental and economic costs associated with non-indigenous species in the United States. Cornell University. http://www.news.cornell.edu/releases/Jan99/species_costs.html

Stevenson, H. M., and B. H. Anderson. 1994. The birdlife of Florida. University Press of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA.

Links to more information

Florida Breeding Bird Atlas Species Account

Back to Nonnative Birds

Our mission: Managing fish and wildlife resources for their long-term well-being and the benefit of people.