Columba livia is native to southern Europe, North Africa, and South Asia, living in cliffs, usually on coasts. It was domesticated and brought to other parts of the world, where they can be found running feral in many places, especially cities. The pure Rock Pigeon is actually becoming scarce, due to interbreeding with feral pigeons, giving way to a variety of plumages.

Humans feeding the feral pigeons in cities have helped to keep their numbers high, and their natural wild population is in no danger either. They are known to carry some diseases, including histoplasmosis and cryptococcosis. They can contract the West Nile Virus, but are unable to transmit it, and are no longer monitored as an indication of the presence of the virus in the area. They do carry some risk of disease, such as salmonellosis, tuberculosis, and ornithosis, thoough none have been proven to be transmitted to humans.

Rock Pigeons were originally domesticated for pets, and as workers. They've been used as homing pigeons, carrier pigeons, and war pigeons, this last having served important roles during wartimes. Many have even received bravery awards and medals for their services in saving hundreds of human lives.

Another interesting note is a phobia, brought about by the fear of pigeons, called peristerophobia.