Brad on Mon Aug 17, 2009 3:16 amTHE FERAL PIGEON (Columbia livia)
Pigeons and doves belong to a large and successful family of 289 species, ranging in size from the Diamond Dove which is approximately 12cm long, to the Crowned Pigeon which is as big as a female turkey, and in colour from the many-coloured Fruit Dove to the soft grey Wood pigeon. Our familiar feral pigeon of the streets has been known by man for 6000 years. They were sculpted on Egyptian tombs, carried messages for King Solomon, helped Julius Caesar conquer Gaul and won many medals for bravery in both world wars. Several poets including Shakespeare have written about the qualities of pigeons. To many they are a symbol of Peace and Love. Pigeons are gentle, beautiful birds who need and deserve all our kindness and respect. They are truly amazing birds, for they can;
• live everywhere except Antarctica
• suck water the way we do
• navigate up to 1000 miles
• sense the Earth’s magnetic field
• fly as fast as 75 miles per hour
• hear ultra-sound
• see colours including ultra-violet
• feed their babies ‘milk’ even if they are male
These adaptable and intelligent birds (along with doves) have one common ancestor, the Rock Dove (Columbia Livia).Their normal life span is 5-7 years though they can go up to 15 years. The mother has an incubation period of 17-19 days and the young leave the nest in 40- 45 days.The bird is about 83 cm in length and weighs between 280 and 560 g - average
about 350 g. Its plumage can vary considerably, from a close resemblance to that of the original rock dove (with blue-grey plumage, double black wing bars and a white rump) through various “blues”, “reds” and chequered types, to almost pure black. There are no visible differences between the sexes. Male pigeons are usually slightly bigger in size and have bigger beaks and wattles (white part of the beak). They also have a much bolder, larger head than the females. Sexing pigeons is hard and can only be achieved through practice and comparison. Females are smaller and have flatter heads too and are often seen on the nest more than the males. Feral pigeons build their nests in or on buildings and other structures,
where they are usually found on ledges or in hollows - often under eaves or on girders. Grass, twigs, feathers or any scraps, such as plastic and wire, may be used in the construction of nests, which are frequently rather flimsily built but, when used for successive broods, may become well-defined structures. Pigeons in the wild breed all the year round but the peak is from around March to September if the weather is warm. They chase each other for 10 days and then the female lays 2 eggs in the nest, one day apart. They then sit on these for 18 days and they hatch into two squeakers (babies) which are covered in yellow down hair. They rear their young until about 4 weeks old and then they leave the nest and go wild themselves.
Feral pigeons normally feed in flocks and for most of the year rely mainly on spillage at food premises or on scraps, including bread, cake grain and “bird-seed”, given by the public. In some localities birds may fly to nearby arable farmland during spring and autumn to feed on sowings and stubbles. Loading and unloading of grain, at places such as docks and mills, provides a source of food from the abundant spillage that normally occurs. Pigeons lay two white eggs on any available ledge. In just under three weeks the babies hatch and are fed on special pigeon’s milk which is a curd-like substance produced in the crops of both parents. Gradually the familiar grey feathers replace the yellow down that covered the
newborn pigeon (or squab). They become independent at about 2 months old. Any baby pigeon found on the ground that appears small, still has yellow tufts visible or who squeaks for food or in fear, is in great danger from cats or traffic etc. PLEASE PICK IT UP as it is almost impossible to return it to its nest. You may find pigeons breeding on your balcony,
workplace or roof space or on top of the air conditioners/coolers.Leave them alone and at some distance away, without making eye contact, leave bowls of water and food.
Source: Animal Welfare Board of India
Pigeons and doves belong to a large and successful family of 289 species, ranging in size from the Diamond Dove which is approximately 12cm long, to the Crowned Pigeon which is as big as a female turkey, and in colour from the many-coloured Fruit Dove to the soft grey Wood pigeon. Our familiar feral pigeon of the streets has been known by man for 6000 years. They were sculpted on Egyptian tombs, carried messages for King Solomon, helped Julius Caesar conquer Gaul and won many medals for bravery in both world wars. Several poets including Shakespeare have written about the qualities of pigeons. To many they are a symbol of Peace and Love. Pigeons are gentle, beautiful birds who need and deserve all our kindness and respect. They are truly amazing birds, for they can;
• live everywhere except Antarctica
• suck water the way we do
• navigate up to 1000 miles
• sense the Earth’s magnetic field
• fly as fast as 75 miles per hour
• hear ultra-sound
• see colours including ultra-violet
• feed their babies ‘milk’ even if they are male
These adaptable and intelligent birds (along with doves) have one common ancestor, the Rock Dove (Columbia Livia).Their normal life span is 5-7 years though they can go up to 15 years. The mother has an incubation period of 17-19 days and the young leave the nest in 40- 45 days.The bird is about 83 cm in length and weighs between 280 and 560 g - average
about 350 g. Its plumage can vary considerably, from a close resemblance to that of the original rock dove (with blue-grey plumage, double black wing bars and a white rump) through various “blues”, “reds” and chequered types, to almost pure black. There are no visible differences between the sexes. Male pigeons are usually slightly bigger in size and have bigger beaks and wattles (white part of the beak). They also have a much bolder, larger head than the females. Sexing pigeons is hard and can only be achieved through practice and comparison. Females are smaller and have flatter heads too and are often seen on the nest more than the males. Feral pigeons build their nests in or on buildings and other structures,
where they are usually found on ledges or in hollows - often under eaves or on girders. Grass, twigs, feathers or any scraps, such as plastic and wire, may be used in the construction of nests, which are frequently rather flimsily built but, when used for successive broods, may become well-defined structures. Pigeons in the wild breed all the year round but the peak is from around March to September if the weather is warm. They chase each other for 10 days and then the female lays 2 eggs in the nest, one day apart. They then sit on these for 18 days and they hatch into two squeakers (babies) which are covered in yellow down hair. They rear their young until about 4 weeks old and then they leave the nest and go wild themselves.
Feral pigeons normally feed in flocks and for most of the year rely mainly on spillage at food premises or on scraps, including bread, cake grain and “bird-seed”, given by the public. In some localities birds may fly to nearby arable farmland during spring and autumn to feed on sowings and stubbles. Loading and unloading of grain, at places such as docks and mills, provides a source of food from the abundant spillage that normally occurs. Pigeons lay two white eggs on any available ledge. In just under three weeks the babies hatch and are fed on special pigeon’s milk which is a curd-like substance produced in the crops of both parents. Gradually the familiar grey feathers replace the yellow down that covered the
newborn pigeon (or squab). They become independent at about 2 months old. Any baby pigeon found on the ground that appears small, still has yellow tufts visible or who squeaks for food or in fear, is in great danger from cats or traffic etc. PLEASE PICK IT UP as it is almost impossible to return it to its nest. You may find pigeons breeding on your balcony,
workplace or roof space or on top of the air conditioners/coolers.Leave them alone and at some distance away, without making eye contact, leave bowls of water and food.
Source: Animal Welfare Board of India
