Domestic pigeon (Birds)
The domestic pigeon (Columba livia domestica or Columba livia forma domestica)[2] is a pigeon subspecies that was derived from the rock dove or rock pigeon. The rock pigeon is the world's oldest domesticated bird. Mesopotamian cuneiform tablets mention the domestication of pigeons more than 5,000 years ago, as do Egyptian hieroglyphics. Pigeons were most likely domesticated in the Mediterranean at least 2000โ5000 years ago, and may have been domesticated earlier as a food source.[3] Research suggests that domestication of pigeons occurred as early as 10,000 years ago.[4]