domestic pigeon; feral pigeon
Refers to pigeons that live in urban areas, descended from domesticated rock doves. Often seen as city birds.
There are many pigeons in the park.
Please do not feed the pigeons.
Katakana spelling is standard for this word, which is usually written in kana.
Kanji form using 土 (earth) and 鳩 (pigeon). Rarely used; the word is usually written in kana.
Rare single-kanji form. Not commonly encountered.
The name’s origin is uncertain. It is commonly written 土鳩, while derivation from 堂鳩, referring to pigeons living around temple buildings, has also been proposed.