Ah, yes, the common pigeon, known to some as rats with wings. I have to admit, I’ve never thought too much about pigeons. They are everywhere and can become a nuance if you don’t like pigeon poop on your monuments or don’t want a flock at your feet every time you eat a sandwich in the park.
However, on a recent trip to Turin, Italy, I took a closer look at these creatures while I shared bit of my focaccia with them in the heat. I found myself wondering about their social structure, their sensitivity, and why the heck you never see one up in a tree?
(You can see some of my Italian pigeon pals in the Instagram post below.)
My pigeon-inspired research
Now, here are twelve interesting facts about common pigeons to pique your interest in a bird that is all too often seen as a nuance and a pest:
Perching Predicament: Unlike many other birds, pigeons do not have strong feet designed for perching on branches. Instead, they have adapted to urban environments, where they prefer to perch on ledges, rooftops, and man-made structures.
Nesting Habits: Pigeons build their nests with twigs, leaves, and other debris, often in sheltered locations such as building ledges or the nooks of bridges. Their resourcefulness allows them to construct nests in a relatively short time.
Surprising Intelligence: Despite their reputation for being "bird-brained," pigeons are surprisingly intelligent creatures. They possess excellent navigation skills and can find their way home from vast distances, even in unfamiliar territory.
Multilingual Cooing: Pigeons communicate through a series of soft cooing sounds. Interestingly, the "language" of pigeons varies across different regions, as local populations develop their unique cooing dialects.
Dove, Common Pigeon, and Wood Pigeon Distinctions: The terms "dove" and "pigeon" are often used interchangeably, but they technically refer to the same group of birds. The difference in nomenclature is largely influenced by cultural and historical factors. For example, the "Common Pigeon" is the familiar city dweller, while the "Wood Pigeon" is a larger, woodland-dwelling species found in rural areas. Unlike their urban counterpart, Wood Pigeons do perch in trees.
Facial Recognition Skills: Pigeons possess an impressive talent for recognizing human faces. Research studies have shown that they can distinguish between familiar human faces, even after extended periods. This ability highlights their cognitive prowess and contributes to their adaptability in human-dominated environments.
Environmental Indicators: Due to their widespread presence in urban and rural areas, pigeons can serve as bioindicators. By monitoring their health and behavior, researchers can gain insights into the overall environmental quality of a particular region.
Communal Parenting: Pigeons exhibit a form of communal parenting. Both the male and female take turns incubating the eggs and caring for the chicks. This cooperative effort enhances the chances of the young ones' survival.
Lifespan and Reproduction: Pigeons typically live for 3 to 5 years in the wild, but they can reach up to 15 years in captivity. They are prolific breeders, capable of producing several broods in a single year under suitable conditions.
Geographical Isolation: In some cases, geographical isolation can lead to the development of unique pigeon populations with distinct markings. When groups of pigeons are separated in different regions, they may experience different environmental pressures and selective forces, leading to the evolution of diverse appearances.
Camouflage and Communication: Natural markings on pigeons can serve important functions in the wild. Camouflage markings, such as mottled patterns, help them blend into their surroundings, providing protection from predators. Additionally, certain markings may play a role in communication between pigeons during courtship displays or territorial interactions.
Hybridization: In areas where different pigeon breeds or species coexist, interbreeding can occur, leading to hybrid pigeons with mixed markings. These hybrids may display a combination of traits from both parent species, resulting in unique and often visually striking patterns.
Photo by Tamara Gak on Unsplash
My personal memories of pigeons
I always wanted to catch a pigeon as a kid, but no chance. Except one summer at the Phoenix Country Club where my grandparents were members. The pigeons had become so tame there one would always sit in my lap while I fed it fries. Later, the country club got in trouble with the city for poisoning the pigeons – and of course awoke the anger of an eight-year-old nature loving child. Stupid Phoenix Country Club!!
An old friend of mine once told a story about how someone she knew in college once nursed a sick pigeon back to health in her dorm room. The pigeon got better and eventually was released. A few weeks later, the girl got really sick. When she went to the doctor, they told her, “That’s strange. You have a nasty virus we normally only ever see in birds….”
A pair of beautiful Wood Pigeons built a nest in a tree in the courtyard of our apartment building this year. All spring, I watched them carefully build the nest and sit on their eggs, which you could see through the window from where I write. About a month ago, a family of kestrels ate their babies. They also ransacked the nests of other birds in the areas (found a headless chick of some kind by the children’s sandbox in the courtyard, which I promptly removed before the kids found it and became traumatized). What can I say? Nature is cruel.
Photo by Vincent van Zalinge on Unsplash
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