Overview
This lecture covers essential facts about feral pigeons, including their origins, biology, breeding habits, behaviors, and notable intelligence.
Origins and Domestication
- Feral pigeons are descended from wild Rock Doves but most have escaped domestic ancestors.
- Rock Doves were domesticated 5,000–10,000 years ago for meat, unique colors, and homing abilities.
- Pigeons’ homing instinct allows them to return home from hundreds or thousands of miles away.
- Pigeons have historically been used for racing and wartime communication.
Physical Characteristics
- Feral pigeons show a wide variety of colors, including black, red, blue-grey, white, or mixed.
- Their wingspan is 63–70 cm and weight ranges from 230–370 grams.
- Males are slightly larger than females; sexing by appearance is difficult due to size variation.
- Urban pigeons sometimes lose toes or feet when entangled in waste materials.
Diet and Habitat
- Originally ate seeds, grains, berries, and fruits; now eat scraps and human-provided food in cities.
- Live predominantly near human settlements, nesting on man-made structures, ledges, or even anti-bird spikes.
Breeding and Life Cycle
- Pigeons can breed from 6 months old with males courting females through puffing, dancing, and cooing.
- Pairs often stay together for life and build platform-like nests.
- Each clutch contains two white eggs, 4 cm long, hatching in 18–19 days.
- Chicks, called squabs, are covered in yellow down and fed crop milk, a creamy substance from parents.
- Squabs leave the nest after 24–30 days, already feathered and adult-sized.
- Pigeons can nest year-round if food is available, raising up to six clutches per year.
Intelligence and Lifespan
- Feral pigeons recognize themselves in mirrors, can identify alphabet letters, and count up to nine.
- Some have been trained to play games like ping pong.
- Wild pigeons live 3–5 years, while captive ones may live up to 24.5 years.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Feral pigeon — A pigeon living in the wild descended from domestic stock.
- Rock Dove — The original wild ancestor species of domestic/feral pigeons.
- Homing ability — The instinct allowing pigeons to navigate back home over long distances.
- Squab — The term for a baby pigeon.
- Crop milk — Nutritious secretion from parent pigeons’ crops used to feed their young.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review differences between feral and wood pigeons if directed.
- Observe urban pigeons for behaviors discussed.