Pigeon

Quick Take

• Pigeons and doves aren't actually different animals, and the real distinction is far more arbitrary than most people assume. See the distinction explained →
• Pigeons rank among the world's smartest animals, and their sensory abilities go far beyond what most people realize. Explore their sensory abilities →
• Baby pigeons are fed something no other bird produces, and what it actually is will catch you off guard. Discover pigeon milk →
• Despite being one of the world's most abundant bird families, pigeons are quietly disappearing at a rate most people never hear about. See the extinction threat →

Pigeons are very widely distributed, with over 300 species worldwide. They are part of the family Columbidae, and scientifically they are the same as doves, although doves normally refer to smaller species of pigeons in common usage.

5 Amazing Pigeon Facts

• Some colorful species of these birds are bred in captivity, many with a wide variety of plumage.
• In scientific nomenclature, “pigeon” and “dove” are interchangeable. Some species, such as rock pigeons, are also known as rock doves.
• These birds get their names from the Latin word for “peeping chick,” pipio.
• If displaced, these birds can fly up to 1,300 miles to return home.
• Pigeons are considered one of the world’s smartest animals. In addition, they have unique “infrasound” adaptations that make them an animal with the best hearing in the world.

Where To Find Pigeons

Pigeons are found everywhere except Antarctica and the Sahara Desert. They inhabit a wide variety of biomes, including grasslands, forests, and cities. The most widely distributed species is the rock dove, otherwise known as the common pigeon. This species is feral in cities around the world.

Classification and Scientific Name

The family name Columbidae is derived from the Latin word ‘columba,’ meaning dove or pigeon.

Evolution And Origin

Although the earliest known pigeon, Gerandia calcaria, came from the Miocene era about 23 million years ago in what is now France, pigeons and all modern birds are descended from small theropod dinosaurs. Birds share a common ancestor with dinosaurs like Velociraptor and Tyrannosaurus rex, but did not evolve directly from them. The rock pigeon is a modern species, not the ancestor of all pigeons.

Types Of Pigeons

There are over 300 species of pigeons found throughout the world. Belonging to the genus Columba, they are in the same family as the dove. The pigeon is even a relative of the extinct, flightless Dodo bird. Here are just a few of the many species of pigeons:

• Egyptian Swift Pigeon
• Oriental Roller
• Ice Pigeon
• Brunner Pouter
• Carneau

Appearance

Depending on the species, pigeons come in a wide variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. They can be as small as 6 inches to over 2 feet long. The crowned pigeon is the largest of the species and is about the size of a turkey.

The pigeon’s flight muscles make them a bulky bird, and they have a small beak with two fleshy ceres. They have a ring of skin around their eyes, short legs, and tiny heads on long necks.

Many of these birds have crests and iridescence on their bodies, and some domestic varieties, such as the white ice pigeon, have feathers on their feet. Many colorful forms of domestic species are descended from the humble gray rock pigeon.

Pigeon vs. Dove

Scientifically speaking, pigeons and doves are interchangeable. Linguistically, smaller members of the Columbidae family tend to be known as doves, while larger members are called pigeons. However, this is not a hard rule, and there are exceptions, as well as birds that are called by both of these terms. For example, the species Columba livia is known as the rock dove, the rock pigeon, and the common pigeon.

Behavior

Depending on the species, these birds can either live solitarily or form large social groups. Most species roost at night. They spend most of their day preening and sunning themselves. They also bathe in water or dust.

These birds have been used extensively throughout history as navigators, as they have an excellent sense of direction and can travel great distances.

During the breeding season, most species become territorial and defend their nests.

Diet

These birds eat berries, nuts, seeds, and fruits. They may also consume insects and other invertebrates. In populated areas, feral birds will scavenge for food scraps.

Young birds consume a product called “pigeon milk,” produced by their parents. This is regurgitated food secreted in liquid form.

They are one of the very few bird species with the ability to suck water through their beaks.

Predators And Threats

Snakes and birds of prey are these birds’ most common predators. Because they are an easy target, they have developed methods, such as flocking in large groups and having a short nesting cycle, to avoid being preyed upon.

Reproduction, Babies, And Lifespan

These birds are monogamous. Males perform elaborate displays to attract the attention of females. The birds build flimsy nests at the top of trees or along rocky cliffs. Both parents care for the eggs and baby pigeons.

Females may lay up to 5 clutches during the breeding season. Most clutches consist of 2 eggs, though they may have either 1 or 3, depending on the abundance of available food. Because they are fed nutritious pigeon milk, they grow rapidly. Some species are fed this until they leave the nest, while others will switch to solid foods.

Population

As a family, these birds are extremely abundant. There are over 400 million birds worldwide.

However, some species are endangered, critically endangered, or even extinct. According to the IUCN Red List, nearly one in five pigeon and dove species are threatened or near-threatened. The best way to preserve endangered species is to protect their habitats from destruction.

However, due to introduction by humans, some species have drastically expanded their populations.