Nature Nurtured: Rock Pigeons Nesting at Government College Gudha Jhunjhunu

Anita Jhajhria

Abstract: The present study explores the nesting ecology of the Common Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) within the urban environment of Government College Gudha, located in Sikar district, Rajasthan, India. Observations were conducted from February to April 2025 to document nest site preferences, nesting materials, clutch size, incubation behavior, and fledgling success rates. A total of 12 active nests were identified, primarily located on building ledges, shaded balconies, and ventilation shafts?indicating a strong preference for artificial structures that provide safety from predators and protection from environmental extremes. Nests were predominantly constructed using locally available materials such as twigs, roots, feathers, and plastic debris, reflecting the pigeon's adaptability to anthropogenic settings. The average clutch size was found to be 2 eggs per nest, consistent with the species' typical reproductive pattern. Hatching success was recorded at 83%, with fledging success slightly lower at 75%, influenced by weather fluctuations and human interference. The study underscores the remarkable behavioral flexibility of C. livia and its success in colonizing human-dominated landscapes, especially institutional spaces that offer relatively undisturbed nesting conditions. This research contributes to the growing body of urban ecology literature by documenting avian biodiversity in rural educational campuses. It also advocates for the conservation potential of such green urban pockets and highlights the importance of integrating biodiversity-friendly infrastructure in campus planning. Further long-term studies could assess year-round breeding patterns and interactions with sympatric bird species in similar environments.

Keywords: Rock Pigeon, Columba livia, urban ecology, nest behavior, fledging success, Rajasthan, biodiversity, educational campus, anthropogenic nesting, avian adaptation