Domestic pigeon
| Domestic pigeon | |
|---|---|
| A selection of domestic pigeon breeds and colors, the result of centuries of selective breeding | |
Domesticated | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Columbiformes |
| Family: | Columbidae |
| Genus: | Columba |
| Species: | |
| Subspecies: | C. l. domestica |
| Trinomial name | |
| Columba livia domestica Gmelin, 1789 | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
The domestic pigeon (Columba livia domestica or Columba livia forma domestica) is a pigeon subspecies that was derived from the rock dove or rock pigeon. The rock pigeon is among the world's oldest domesticated birds: mesopotamian cuneiform tablets mention the domestication of pigeons more than 5,000 years ago, as do Egyptian hieroglyphics.
Pigeons have held historical importance to humans as food, pets, holy animals, and messengers. Due to their homing ability, pigeons have been used to deliver messages, including during the world wars. Despite this, city pigeons, which are feral birds, are generally seen as pests, mainly due to their droppings and a reputation for spreading disease.