These Rock Pigeons (Columba livia) are not native to North America, but they have been around for close to 400 years.1
These birds are incredibly common in urban areas, and are probably considered pests by some. I think they are beautiful - look at the colors!
One of my very favorite birding activities is watching birds bathe. When I see birds splashing around in the shallow edge of a pond, a stream, or man-made bird bath, it reminds me of children playing in the sprinkler. I imagine that the birds are very happy - they just *seem* happy while playing in the water.
See what I mean?
Although it looks like playtime for the pigeons, bathing is a really important part of a bird’s health. Their feathers are water-repellent…as long as they are kept in tip-top condition. Properly maintained feathers also help keep a bird warm, show off when they want…and blend in when they need to!
- Birds of Texas, 2007, Arnold and Kennedy ↩
