For many years, pigeons have been performing many functional tasks for humans. They differ in colors and forms.
Not only are they lovely creatures, but they also possess some great abilities.
Table of Contents
Domesticating Pigeons
Since they adapt easily to any type of environment, they can certainly be maintained in areas with a dense population.
They can be domesticated and can live in small spaces.
They do not smell, they make less noise, and they are cheap when it comes to caring.
Mating for Life
Pigeons are loving birds and are usually a monogamous lot. They mate for life and live as a couple.
The mating process usually happens as an organized ritual.
Once the couple goes through the stage of courtship and is paired, they begin to build a nest and do squabs in the form of a cushion with feathers.
The couple remains faithful to each other throughout their lives or until some external element separates them.
What if one Pigeon dies?
If one of the companions dies, the other will mate again with another pigeon. In general, long distances do not affect the bond between two birds unless there is an influence of a dove that is not mated around it.
In general, each pair of pigeons has two nests. Pigeons usually put two or more of the offspring of two pairs and two nests are enough space to care for each offspring.
The nests are eleven to twelve inches long. In general, the nest is made of hay or straw, but tobacco stems are better, since they prevent the nest from having insects.
Pigeon Mating Habits
Pigeons have unique mating habits. Once the male pigeon has indicated its interest in a certain female pigeon, it begins to show itself.
He lulls himself specifically to attract the female partner, begins an arrogant march to interest the other and tries to show his manly characteristics.
If interested, the female becomes friendly with the male, inviting her to mate. Then, the couple selects a place to make a nest and build a nest together. Once the nest is built, the couple joins and prepares for the birth of their young.
When the female lays the egg, she sits on the egg for more than a day, after which the male pigeon takes the place of his partner on the eggs so that his partner can eat and rest.
Their children grow rapidly, so parents have to provide food continuously. They feed their little ones with the “pigeon milk” that secretes the throats of the parents and later the food comes in the form of partially digested foods ingested by the parents.
In some unfortunate cases, pigeons may be sterile or infertile, so they may not be able to produce offspring. In this situation, the couple must be separated so they can find new partners and solve their infertility problem.
love your website. I am currently feeding pigeons in balcony. I found they do not eat sunflower seeds. I made some tiny dry bread crumb but I found they donot like either. one pair came to here everyday at six pm for foods. I do not know if they could bring more friends here . I hope I have more visitors
Hi, me and my husband rescued a pigeon with a broken wing 2 years ago. He has his own house outdoors and now has a female friend. I have with interest read from your page the mating process. I love watching them together during the day, she does fly away at night. We named him Walter after Walter pidgeon and had to laugh when I saw your name is also Walter.
Came upon this when checking if wood pigeons mate for life. Sadly there was a dead pigeon outside our house today. I have seen a second pigeon hanging around. Wondered if it would be a partner so late on in the bird year. If it really is a wood pigeon, then probably it is.
Tom
Thank you, very informative
Yesterday morning, I heard a bird loudly squawking. A little later I went to close the window and I saw a dead pigeon on a ledge further down. There was another pigeon that was standing next to it and when I went to the window it flew away. It went to a nearby rooftop and I felt was watching me. I closed the window and came back about 10 minutes later, the pigeon was back standing guard over the dead one. I left for the day but when I returned I looked and I saw that the pigeon that had been standing guard was laying with its head on the chest of the dead pigeon. I kept looking out, but it didn’t move, was just laying there with its head on the chest. Heartbreaking. I couldn’t get a photo because every time I try to open the window she flew away end it was impossible because my windows are darkened have heavy screens. It is gone now. 😔
I’ve never been particularly fond of pigeons but recently I have become quite attached to a pair of Wood Pigeons who seem to have taken up residence in my garden. I call them George and Mildred. However I haven’t seen Mildred for the last three or four days (or it could be George). I’m wondering whether thay might be incubating eggs or whether I’ve lost one.
My partner and I see a pair mating every night between 8&9pm in the same spot, perched on the neighbours trampoline.
It’s like clockwork and they carry out the same pre mating ritual every night.
Good on them 🙂
I’ve been feeding a wood pigeon for a month now and it flies direct onto my hand. It loves sunflower seeds but what it loves most is pink suet pallets.
Its still hesitant to fly on my hand for the suet, but I hope that it build up it confidence. Its mate is there too, but it’s not so brave. They fight for the food when I’m gone though. Not that much love there…..