Census of the feral pigeon (Columba livia f. domestica) population in the selected localities and flying through the corridor of the Radlické valley in Prague. The diploma thesis is dealing with the research of the number of the pigeons (Columba livia f. domestica) flying through the corridor of the Radlické údolí, with the exploration of the next pigeons' flying routes, with inventorying of the number of pigeons in the localities Smíchovské nádraží and Na Knížecí and with dependece of the number of pigeons on the abiotical conditions, season, day time and the time of the spring seeding and harvest. The food ecology of pigeons was also investigated within the process of inventorying in the locality Na Knížecí. The final chapter is focused on coloring of the individuals in the different Prague localities. The research was realised from July 2012 to November 2013. The folowing methods of research were used: observation, marking with the wing tapes, modified linear method of addition. The results of the diploma thesis indicate that number of pigeons in the observed localities change especially in the time of seeding and harvest. Numerical fluctuations are not so extreme because the group of the resident pigeons always stays in the city. The spectrum of the food offered by local inhabitants doesn't...

This research investigates particulate matter (PM) deposition to rock pigeons (Columba livia) in urban environments within Denton County, Texas. Pigeon habitat was characterized within a 2-km radius at eight locations using the 2016 National Land Cover Database (NLCD). In summer 2020, feathers were sampled from 10 rock pigeons at two locations (n = 20) differing in degree of urban development. Birds were captured using walk-in funnel traps baited with bird seed. Based on molt pattern and appearance, four old flight feathers were identified and sampled from each bird. New primary feathers were obtained from each population as reference samples. Feathers were washed three times with double deionized water and acetone, and the solution vacuum filtered through a glass microfiber filter to collect all particles >1.5 µm in diameter. Particulate matter mass was determined by gravimetric analysis and calculated per unit feather surface area. Relative PM accumulation rates were significantly different between the populations. Characteristics of urban land cover, proximity to and types of emissions sources, wind exposure, and building density were drivers of variability in PM deposition to feather surfaces. The results from this study should be useful for subsequent research to help identify best practices for using feathers collected from pigeons or other urban restricted bird species to monitor PM levels across multiple spatial scales.