The Rock Pigeon (Columba livia), also known as the rock dove, common pigeon, or simply pigeon, is a member of the bird family Columbidae (doves and pigeons).
The domestic pigeon (C. l. domestica), which includes about 1,000 different breeds, descended from this species. Escaped domestic pigeons have raised the populations of feral pigeons around the world.
Habitats include various open and semi-open environments. Cliffs and rock ledges are used for roosting and breeding in the wild. Originally found wild in Europe, North Africa, and western Asia, pigeons have become established in cities around the world. The species is abundant, with an estimated population of 17 to 28 million feral and wild birds in Europe alone and up to 120 million worldwide.
They've evolved to follow and rely on people for easy food, that they've been spread all around the world so much, making it impossible to find out where exactly they originated from. They're extremely common in cities, including New York, Paris, Cincinnati, Beijing, London, and Los Angeles. They'll eat human scraps, but also natural foods like seeds, fruits, and worms. Pigeons are one of the few birds along with flamingos and penguins, that create a milk-like liquid to feed their young. This liquid is statistically more healthier than cow and human milk. Pigeons also have an ability to find their way home by following the Earth's magnetic field. They can be more than 20 miles (32 kilometers) away from home, and they still can find their way back. This ability is why they were used in wars to deliver messages.