Geographic variation in color of the synanthropic Blue rock pigeon

Variation in plumage color was studied in 211 populations of the blue rock pigeon (Columbia livia) from various geographic zones. The frequency distribution of three common and three rare phenotypes and an interspecific hybridization zone of C. livia and C. rupestris were described. Different conditions of the origin of the urban populations of blue rock pigeon and consequent high genetic heterogeneity of this species were revealed. The key aspect of color polymorphism in blue rock pigeon is synanthropization, i.e., anthropogenic evolution.