rock-pigeon
Definition
- Noun:
- A species of bird, Columba livia, commonly known as the rock pigeon or rock dove. It is a medium-sized, grayish bird with two dark bars on the wing and a white rump, often found in urban areas worldwide.
Usage Examples
- (Referring to the common urban bird.)
- (Describing their historical and biological significance.)
Advanced Usage
- "Rock-pigeon" in ornithology: The term is used scientifically to distinguish this species from other pigeons, such as the wood pigeon or stock dove.
- Ornithologists classify the rock-pigeon as a member of the family Columbidae. (The scientific classification of the bird.)
Variants and Related Words
- Rock dove (n): an alternative name for the rock-pigeon.
- The rock dove is also known for its strong homing instincts. (Synonymous with rock-pigeon.)
- Pigeon (n): a general term for birds in the family Columbidae, often referring to the rock-pigeon in urban contexts.
- Pigeons are common in cities, but the rock-pigeon is the original wild form. (Distinguishing the species from other pigeons.)
Synonyms
- Rock dove: a direct synonym, often used in older or more formal texts.
- Common pigeon: a colloquial term for the rock-pigeon, especially in urban settings.
Related Idioms
- No direct idioms: The word "rock-pigeon" does not appear in common idioms or phrasal verbs, but the general term "pigeon" appears in idioms like "pigeon-chested" (describing a narrow chest) or "clay pigeon" (a target in shooting sports).