Brad on Tue Nov 25, 2008 2:37 pmPigeons have many enemies and predators and hopefully this post will outline and describe a few of those. Pigeons were born to be prey animals and therefore are hunted and killed by a great number of carnivorous and omnivorous animals. Pigeons are generally defenseless animals and other than speed of flight, stand little chance against their hunters.
Hawks: Although not all hawks are bird eaters, a great many species will attack and kill pigeons if they have an opportunity. Cooper's hawks, sharp shinned hawks, goshawks, sparrow hawks, kestrels, peregrine falcons (most falcon species) are all bird hunting raptors. All of these avian hunters have speed or stealth to capture your pigeons. Falcons will use outright speed (often in a stoop or dive) to catch a pigeon, whereas the accipter species like the cooper's, sharpies and goshawks rely on a surprise attack after a short burst of speed to catch a pigeon. Red tailed hawks, red shouldered hawks, broad winged hawks are members of the buteo family of hawks and are not generally bird eaters. They are more soaring birds in flight and don't possess neither the speed or agility to catch most healthy flying breeds of pigeons. Still, they will seize upon any opportunity and when it arises to catch and make a pigeon it's next meal. Sick, injured or generally weak pigeons make easy prey for any hawk or falcon.
Owls: Owls are extremely diversified hunters and have a wide range of animals on their diet. Most owls are nocturnal, hunting at night. Great horned, barn and barred owls will attack pigeons at night on their roosts when they are most vulnerable. Owls have superb night vision and since pigeons don't, they can become easy targets for a hungry owl. Owls also have exceptional hearing and their flight is virtually silent due to specially adapted flight feathers. During daylight hours, a strong, healthy flying pigeon has the advantage and will generally be able to escape the clutches of a hungry owl.
Cats: All felines are potential predators of pigeons, regardless of their size. Luckily, we don't have wild lions or tigers here in North America, but these are two species of the great cats that would likely not bother with trying to make a meal out of a tiny pigeon. Otherwise, all domestic cats and their wild cousins like the bobcat or lynx wouldn't mind or find it beneath them to snatch a pigeon from it's loft or on the ground feeding. Cats are cunning, swift, silent and deadly. They are master stalkers of their prey and have great speed when needed to catch a pigeon or any bird. They are also great leapers and jumpers that can snag birds in mid flight with their bacteria laden claws. Cat scratches and bites are often fatal to pigeons even if they survive the initial attack and escape.
Dogs: Not all canines are bird killers but many are either trained to do this, or it just comes natural. Dogs are less likely to catch a healthy, fit flying pigeon by sheer power of speed or cunning. However, dogs will and can kill pigeons when given the opportunity. Unhealthy, sick or injured pigeons would be their likely prey. Stray, wild and hungry canines could be an enemy of your pigeons.
Raccoons, Skunks and Weasels: Raccoons are classified as omnivores, meaning they eat practically anything. They are very intelligent, have extremely dexterous "hands" and can be quite savage when hunting or crossed. They are mostly nocturnal and if given a chance, they will make light work of flimsy chicken wire and break into a coop/pen and kill your pigeons. Skunks are slow, cumbersome animals but they are also omnivores and members of the weasel family. They too could find a way into your loft or pen and kill a few pigeons that landed on the ground or became stunned or confused. They have sharp teeth and claws very capable of killing a pigeon. True weasels are deadly and extremely adept hunters of birds. They are swift, small, muscular and determined little hunters. They can fit into very tiny holes or cracks and once inside a loft or pen, will quickly go to work killing as many birds as they can. They are known to be one of the few animals that will kill for the sake of killing, sometimes killing dozens of birds but only eating a couple.
Mice and Rats: Rodents are generally not a huge threat to your pigeons. However, both can carry bacterial diseases like salmonella or E. coli that can be transmitted to your pigeons and might eventually kill them. Their droppings are the source of the contamination and if it infects either the feed or water containers in your loft, then your pigeons could become infected and might become sick and/or die. Both mice and rats are omnivores as well, but rats pose a greater threat to pigeon adults and their eggs & young. Rats are big enough and strong enough to kill an adult pigeon and eat any babies or eggs. Not all rats will attack a full grown pigeon, but hunger and opportunity plays a significant roll in what might happen. Rats have sharp incisors that can kill or mame pigeons.
Squirrels: Another member of the rodent family that is well known for it's taste for eggs and bird nestlings. They generally don't seek out or hunt pigeons, but if they gain access into your loft or pen, probably wouldn't hesitate to eat some eggs or young pigeon chicks.
Snakes and Reptiles: Many snakes are egg and nestling eaters. Depending upon where you live, the adults of several species are hunters of birds and able to eat adult pigeons as well. Snakes are also able to slide into holes and cracks that are very small, like weasels and once inside a loft or pen, can do some significant damage. If the birds stay off the ground, they are safe, but nestlings and nests closer to the floor, could very well be at risk from such a predator. Since snakes swallow their prey whole, there is a good chance that they will not be able to leave your loft after ingesting a hardy meal and will become trapped inside. Other reptiles one might worry about are young crocodiles (Southern USA like Florida or Louisiana). Likely not a high risk factor for any healthy, fit pigeon however.
Crows, Jays and Ravens: These birds are also omnivorous, highly intelligent and opportunistic creatures. They generally pick on, kill and eat the weak, infirm and young of other animals because they lack the killing tools to do otherwise. Crows, ravens and their kind are big time egg and nestling thieves. Eggs and young birds provide them with easy to tackle meals in a size they can handle. These birds might be able to gain access to your coop or loft and if they do, chances are you will lose eggs and young baby pigeons. Adult pigeons generally cannot defend against these larger and stronger birds and will give way to a larger and stronger crow or raven intent on nest raiding. Crows and ravens can be very beneficial birds to have around your property and because of their immense hatred towards hawks and owls. If you can keep them out of your lofts but persuade them to hang around your property, you might have a friend against hawks, owls and even cats. They will mob, harass and drive these other animals away from their territories and also sound the alarm for your pigeons once one of these predator threats is nearby.
I think I've covered most of the predators & enemies of pigeons. I know there are others but probably from different countries and continents that I'm unaware of. It's important that people with outdoor lofts consider the following: 1) Use screening that is 1/4" inch or less, make sure all holes, gaps, or cracks into your loft are sealed, 2) make sure your pigeons are fit and healthy because of proper nutrition, care and regimens. 3) Train your flying pigeons to trap quickly and try be one step ahead of anything that might harm your birds. Try to envision anything happening and preventing it, because you just never know when bad luck or an enemy of your pigeons will strike and how.
Hawks: Although not all hawks are bird eaters, a great many species will attack and kill pigeons if they have an opportunity. Cooper's hawks, sharp shinned hawks, goshawks, sparrow hawks, kestrels, peregrine falcons (most falcon species) are all bird hunting raptors. All of these avian hunters have speed or stealth to capture your pigeons. Falcons will use outright speed (often in a stoop or dive) to catch a pigeon, whereas the accipter species like the cooper's, sharpies and goshawks rely on a surprise attack after a short burst of speed to catch a pigeon. Red tailed hawks, red shouldered hawks, broad winged hawks are members of the buteo family of hawks and are not generally bird eaters. They are more soaring birds in flight and don't possess neither the speed or agility to catch most healthy flying breeds of pigeons. Still, they will seize upon any opportunity and when it arises to catch and make a pigeon it's next meal. Sick, injured or generally weak pigeons make easy prey for any hawk or falcon.
Owls: Owls are extremely diversified hunters and have a wide range of animals on their diet. Most owls are nocturnal, hunting at night. Great horned, barn and barred owls will attack pigeons at night on their roosts when they are most vulnerable. Owls have superb night vision and since pigeons don't, they can become easy targets for a hungry owl. Owls also have exceptional hearing and their flight is virtually silent due to specially adapted flight feathers. During daylight hours, a strong, healthy flying pigeon has the advantage and will generally be able to escape the clutches of a hungry owl.
Cats: All felines are potential predators of pigeons, regardless of their size. Luckily, we don't have wild lions or tigers here in North America, but these are two species of the great cats that would likely not bother with trying to make a meal out of a tiny pigeon. Otherwise, all domestic cats and their wild cousins like the bobcat or lynx wouldn't mind or find it beneath them to snatch a pigeon from it's loft or on the ground feeding. Cats are cunning, swift, silent and deadly. They are master stalkers of their prey and have great speed when needed to catch a pigeon or any bird. They are also great leapers and jumpers that can snag birds in mid flight with their bacteria laden claws. Cat scratches and bites are often fatal to pigeons even if they survive the initial attack and escape.
Dogs: Not all canines are bird killers but many are either trained to do this, or it just comes natural. Dogs are less likely to catch a healthy, fit flying pigeon by sheer power of speed or cunning. However, dogs will and can kill pigeons when given the opportunity. Unhealthy, sick or injured pigeons would be their likely prey. Stray, wild and hungry canines could be an enemy of your pigeons.
Raccoons, Skunks and Weasels: Raccoons are classified as omnivores, meaning they eat practically anything. They are very intelligent, have extremely dexterous "hands" and can be quite savage when hunting or crossed. They are mostly nocturnal and if given a chance, they will make light work of flimsy chicken wire and break into a coop/pen and kill your pigeons. Skunks are slow, cumbersome animals but they are also omnivores and members of the weasel family. They too could find a way into your loft or pen and kill a few pigeons that landed on the ground or became stunned or confused. They have sharp teeth and claws very capable of killing a pigeon. True weasels are deadly and extremely adept hunters of birds. They are swift, small, muscular and determined little hunters. They can fit into very tiny holes or cracks and once inside a loft or pen, will quickly go to work killing as many birds as they can. They are known to be one of the few animals that will kill for the sake of killing, sometimes killing dozens of birds but only eating a couple.
Mice and Rats: Rodents are generally not a huge threat to your pigeons. However, both can carry bacterial diseases like salmonella or E. coli that can be transmitted to your pigeons and might eventually kill them. Their droppings are the source of the contamination and if it infects either the feed or water containers in your loft, then your pigeons could become infected and might become sick and/or die. Both mice and rats are omnivores as well, but rats pose a greater threat to pigeon adults and their eggs & young. Rats are big enough and strong enough to kill an adult pigeon and eat any babies or eggs. Not all rats will attack a full grown pigeon, but hunger and opportunity plays a significant roll in what might happen. Rats have sharp incisors that can kill or mame pigeons.
Squirrels: Another member of the rodent family that is well known for it's taste for eggs and bird nestlings. They generally don't seek out or hunt pigeons, but if they gain access into your loft or pen, probably wouldn't hesitate to eat some eggs or young pigeon chicks.
Snakes and Reptiles: Many snakes are egg and nestling eaters. Depending upon where you live, the adults of several species are hunters of birds and able to eat adult pigeons as well. Snakes are also able to slide into holes and cracks that are very small, like weasels and once inside a loft or pen, can do some significant damage. If the birds stay off the ground, they are safe, but nestlings and nests closer to the floor, could very well be at risk from such a predator. Since snakes swallow their prey whole, there is a good chance that they will not be able to leave your loft after ingesting a hardy meal and will become trapped inside. Other reptiles one might worry about are young crocodiles (Southern USA like Florida or Louisiana). Likely not a high risk factor for any healthy, fit pigeon however.
Crows, Jays and Ravens: These birds are also omnivorous, highly intelligent and opportunistic creatures. They generally pick on, kill and eat the weak, infirm and young of other animals because they lack the killing tools to do otherwise. Crows, ravens and their kind are big time egg and nestling thieves. Eggs and young birds provide them with easy to tackle meals in a size they can handle. These birds might be able to gain access to your coop or loft and if they do, chances are you will lose eggs and young baby pigeons. Adult pigeons generally cannot defend against these larger and stronger birds and will give way to a larger and stronger crow or raven intent on nest raiding. Crows and ravens can be very beneficial birds to have around your property and because of their immense hatred towards hawks and owls. If you can keep them out of your lofts but persuade them to hang around your property, you might have a friend against hawks, owls and even cats. They will mob, harass and drive these other animals away from their territories and also sound the alarm for your pigeons once one of these predator threats is nearby.
I think I've covered most of the predators & enemies of pigeons. I know there are others but probably from different countries and continents that I'm unaware of. It's important that people with outdoor lofts consider the following: 1) Use screening that is 1/4" inch or less, make sure all holes, gaps, or cracks into your loft are sealed, 2) make sure your pigeons are fit and healthy because of proper nutrition, care and regimens. 3) Train your flying pigeons to trap quickly and try be one step ahead of anything that might harm your birds. Try to envision anything happening and preventing it, because you just never know when bad luck or an enemy of your pigeons will strike and how.
Last edited by Brad on Sat Dec 13, 2008 7:17 pm; edited 3 times in total
