Pigeon

Pigeon is any of the larger members of the pigeon and dove family. The smaller members are usually called doves. In this article, the term pigeon refers to both pigeons and doves.

There are hundreds of species (kinds) of pigeons. They live in all parts of the world except the Arctic, Antarctic, and some oceanic islands. Most species live in tropical climates.

The body of a pigeon

Pigeons have a muscular body; a small head; and short, sturdy legs. The birds are swift, powerful fliers. The large flight muscles in a pigeon’s chest can make up two-fifths of the bird’s total body weight. The feathers of pigeons are stiffer and smoother than those of most other birds. Their texture smooths the flow of air around the pigeon’s body during flight. Some kinds of pigeons have specially shaped feathers that may help them fly at slower speeds. The feathers of other species produce sounds during flight. These pigeons communicate with one another by means of these sounds.

Most species of pigeons measure from 10 to 15 inches (25 to 38 centimeters) long. One of the smallest species, the common ground-dove, grows about 6 inches (15 centimeters) long and weighs about 1 ounce (28 grams). The largest species, the Victoria crowned-pigeon, is almost 3 feet (91 centimeters) long and weighs from 2 to 3 pounds (0.9 to 1.4 kilograms).

Most pigeons have dull-colored feathers that are black, blue, brown, or gray. The males and females of most species look much alike, but the males are a little larger and brighter. Some species, such as the Asian fruit-pigeon and the bleeding-heart pigeon, rank among the most beautiful birds in the world. They possess bright markings on the front parts of the body. A pigeon may use its markings to attract a mate or to threaten other pigeons of the same species that approach its nest or territory.

Pigeons drink in an unusual way. They do not tip their head up with each sip, as most birds do. Pigeons thrust their beak into the water and suck the liquid through it as though it were a straw.

The life of a pigeon

Most pigeons build their nests in trees. But one species, the rock pigeon, nests on rocky cliffs or on the ledges and sills of buildings. Other species, called ground-doves, build their nests on the ground.

Pigeons begin to look for food and water early in the morning. They generally rest during part of the afternoon and then seek more food and water late in the day. The birds return to their roost before nightfall.

Most pigeon species live in the same region throughout the year. However, many species that live in cool regions migrate in large flocks during the fall and spring. People often hunt pigeons during these migrations.

Food.

Pigeons eat fruits, grains, and nuts, and they sometimes feed on insects, snails, and worms. Most pigeons also eat grit and minerals such as salt. Some species obtain food by pecking at the ground. Others rarely land on the ground and so feed in trees.

Flocks.

When not breeding, most species of pigeons live in flocks. These flocks may consist of more than one species. The large number of birds in a flock increases the chances of finding food. Flocks also provide protection against such enemies as cats, hawks, martens, owls, and rats. Some pigeon flocks include other species of birds, such as blackbirds and sparrows. The presence of these birds further improves the chances of locating food and of being warned of danger.

Life history.

Male and female pigeons pair for the breeding season and may remain paired for life. Most other kinds of birds pair for a single nesting cycle or a single season. During courtship, the male pigeon bows and coos to the female while the female watches him. The two birds groom each other’s feathers, and the male feeds the female a few seeds. The courtship lasts a few days, after which mating occurs.

Pigeons build a shallow, loosely interwoven nest of twigs and grass. In most species, the female lays two white eggs. Females incubate (sit on and warm) the eggs all night, while males incubate during most of the daytime. The eggs hatch in about 17 days. The young, called squabs, are blind and almost featherless. They grow rapidly. Some of the smaller species can fly before they are two weeks old.

Both parents feed the newly hatched young a white liquid called crop milk or pigeon’s milk. The milk, which is similar to the milk of mammals, is produced in the crop, a sac in the base of the neck of the parents. The parents pump the milk down the throat of the squabs. The young begin to eat solid food after about 10 days.

Most pigeons that survive the first few months live from three to five years. The larger species live longer than the smaller ones.

Kinds of pigeons

There are two main groups of pigeons, wild and domestic. Domestic pigeons are bred by people.

Wild pigeons.

Of the many wild species, some of the best known are the Victoria crowned-pigeon, the fruit-pigeon, the bleeding-heart pigeon, the rock pigeon, the band-tailed pigeon, and the mourning dove.

Victoria crowned-pigeons, the largest of all pigeons, live in New Guinea. They have a variety of colors, and tufts of thin, lacy feathers form a crest on their head. The brightly colored fruit-pigeon is found in Asia and on islands in the South Pacific Ocean. Its nest is so flimsy that the female must hold her eggs and the nest in place if even a slight wind blows. The bleeding-heart pigeon of the Philippines has white underparts except for a bright red spot on its chest.

The rock pigeon nests on cliffs in Africa, Asia, and Europe. It is dark blue and has two black stripes on its wings, a white rump, and a black band on its tail. The feathers on its neck are glossy green and purple. The band-tailed pigeon, a favorite game bird that makes its home in the western part of the United States, has a black band across its tail. Hunters shoot thousands of these pigeons every fall for food and sport.

The mourning dove is the most common of the smaller North American wild pigeons. It makes a sad, cooing sound and is well known as both a game bird and songbird. Conservationists try to limit the number of mourning doves killed by hunters. Passenger pigeons, which once numbered in the billions, were hunted to extinction in the 1800’s and early 1900’s. The last passenger pigeon died in the Cincinnati Zoo in 1914.

Domestic pigeons.

Scientists believe that most breeds of domestic pigeons are the descendants of wild rock pigeons. Many of these birds differ greatly from their wild ancestors. But if a domestic pigeon becomes wild, its descendants resemble their wild ancestors after several generations. For example, city pigeons, which are wild descendants of a number of domestic breeds, resemble wild rock pigeons.

Rock pigeons were domesticated in Egypt about 3100 B.C. Through the centuries, breeders have developed over 150 types of pigeons for various purposes. Pigeons have been bred to serve as a source of food, to carry messages, or for racing, recreation, or show.

Popular types of pigeons raised for food include the carneaux pigeon, the dragoon pigeon, the white maltese pigeon, and the white king pigeon. These birds produce large squabs that many people consider a delicacy.

People use homing pigeons, also called homers, to carry messages and for racing. These pigeons are bred from a variety of strains for their remarkable ability to find their home lofts from great distances.

Pigeon shows feature specially bred varieties of pigeons. Birds displayed in such shows include the carrier pigeon, the fantail pigeon, the jacobin pigeon, and the pouter pigeon.

Other domestic breeds include the tumbler pigeon and the roller pigeon, both of which perform acrobatics in the air. One domestic type, the ringed turtle dove, has unknown ancestors.

Pigeons and human beings

People hunt pigeons for both food and sport. They also use these birds for scientific research. For example, scientists study ringed turtle doves to better understand how hormones control behavior. Scientists also study homing pigeons in an effort to learn how birds are able to find their way when flying great distances.

Some kinds of pigeons eat large amounts of grain raised by farmers. Yet they and other pigeons eat the seeds of various harmful weeds. Several pigeon species depend directly on people. Since 1930, for example, the collared dove has spread throughout Europe by relying on crops for food and buildings for shelter.

Pigeons that live in cities can be a great nuisance to people. The droppings of large numbers of pigeons are expensive to clean up and may help erode stone and marble. The droppings may also stop up the roof drains of buildings. The birds also can spread such diseases as histoplasmosis and psittacosis, which affect the lungs and other organs of human beings (see Histoplasmosis ; Psittacosis ).