Feral pigeon
Domestic pigeon; scientific name: Columba livia f. domestica
Measuring the length of a pigeon egg
Photo: UPB-Projektgruppe Trier
Photo: UPB-Projektgruppe Trier
A pigeon species home in nearly every city.
The feral pigeon was chosen as a specimen type characteristic of settlement areas (conurbations and agrarian areas) and as a suitable, well-studied bioindicator. Being a cosmopolitan bird, it lends itself to a comparative observation of pollution levels in its various habitats.
The pigeon eggs are used as a specimen. Sampling only takes place in dovecotes during the main laying season from March to August.
For more information about the specimen, the sampling and the processing of samples see the Guideline for Sampling and Sample Preparation Feral pigeon (Columba livia f. domestica).
Recommended analysis examples
Search data
Target organs/Matrices
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Egg contentEggs are suited as accumulation indicators and mirror the contamination of the breeding females. The shell protects the egg contents and inhibits a contamination of the sample.
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EggsThe whole egg is only biometrical described. Please switch to data search sample descriptions.
Sampling area
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Important, old-industrialised conurbation in Germany.
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Main water divide between the North- and Baltic Sea
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Region in the chemical triangle of Central Germany
Analytes
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Eighty percent of all elements on earth are metals
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Only eighteen elements in the periodic table
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Group of organic compounds with at least one covalently bonded chlorine atom
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Toxic and persistent organochloropesticide
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Several isomeric compounds among the group of chlorinated hydrocarbons
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Atoms of one element with different weights
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Additional information for the interpretation of contamination data
Sampling period
1993 - 2013