If this is the wrong place, tell 'em to flock off.
Rare wild ancestors of domestic pigeon found on Scottish islands.[url]
I just call them "sky-rats".
Rare wild ancestors of domestic pigeon found on Scottish islands.[url]
Small populations of wild rock doves discovered in places including Outer Hebrides.
Colonies of extremely rare and endangered birds that are the wild ancestors of domestic and feral pigeons have been found on secluded Scottish islands.
Researchers have spoken of their excitement and surprise at discovering small populations of wild rock doves in places that include the Outer Hebrides.
It is thought rock doves were domesticated, originally to provide food, between 5,000 and 10,000 years ago making them some of the first domesticated birds.
Feral pigeons originate from escaped domestic birds and can be seen in towns and cities everywhere. As feral pigeons thrived, rock doves – partly because of extensive interbreeding – declined around the world.
Will Smith, an Oxford University DPhil student and lead author of a new study, said there had been lots of research into Scottish wildcats and how hybridisation with feral cats had [URL='https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/feb/27/imported-wildcats-could-come-to-rescue-of-scottish-species']pushed the species to the brink of extinction
(C) The Guardian. '22.. But there was hardly any into rock doves and their similar trajectory because of feral pigeons.
I just call them "sky-rats".