Water Pigeon

The water pigeon (Aquacolumba aquacolumba) is a species of pigeon native throughout the swamps, marshlands, subtropical rainforests, tropical rainforests, and coastlines across North America and South America, but is also adapting to life in the cities and suburbs. The water pigeon is unique among pigeons because of their webbed feet, similar to that of waterfowls, giving them the ability to swim in a similar fashion, but unlike waterfowls, water pigeons feed on algae, water bugs, krill, squid and fish larvae, and, not just seeds, bread, or land insects/spiders. The water pigeon is also noted for having tolerance to saltwater, making them as perfectly home in oceans as well as in freshwater. The conservation status of the water pigeons is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts, the water pigeons' tolerance to human activities, and their tolerance to otherwise deadly diseases and viruses, including West Nile viruses.