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Pigeon

Pigeon Facts

Size 12-13.5 in (31-34 cm)
Speed Up to 50 mph (80 km/h); 62-75 mph (100-120 km/h) (short distances)
Weight 10-14 oz (300-400 g)
Lifespan Up to 35 years
Food Grains, seeds
Predators Raccoons, owls, eagles, hawks, opossums
Habitat Worldwide
Order Columbiformes
Family Columbidae
Scientific name Columbidae
Characteristics Primarily move by walking on the ground

Main Characteristics

When we are thinking of pigeons we usually have the picture of a feral dove in our minds. In fact, the family of pigeons is very large.

Species

There are more than 300 species. Many of them are very colorful, have beautiful patterns or striking head feathers. Most pigeons live in South Asia to Australia. In Central Europe there are only five species: feral pigeon, common wood pigeon, Eurasian collared pigeon, European turtle dove and stock dove.

Habitat

Pigeons prefer forests, but they also live in cities. Only a few species inhabit mountain and desert areas.

Pigeon Pigeon - Photo: DanVostock/Shutterstock

Anatomy and Appearance

The Largest Pigeons

The largest Pigeon is the Victoria crowned pigeon with a weight of more than 4.4 lb (2 kg) and a size of up to 29 inch (73 cm).

The Smallest Pigeons

The smallest species is the plain-breasted ground dove. It's just as small as a sparrow and weighs only 0.7 oz (22 grams).

Feral Pigeons

Feral pigeons grow to 12-13 inch (31-34 cm) and weigh 10-14 oz. (300-400 grams).

Pigeon Pigeon - Photo: Monia Kosciejew/Shutterstock

Behavior

Pigeons Eat Differently From Other Birds

Pigeons move on foot very often. As they walk around, they pick up grains and seeds. But unlike many other birds, they can't remove the outer shell of the seeds. They have to swallow them in whole. Another behavior that makes them different from other birds is, that they rarely use their feet when eating.

How Pigeons Drink Without Raising Their Heads

Have you ever watched a bird drinking? It dips its beak into the water and then moves its head back so that so that the water can run down its throat. The bird does not have muscles for swallowing and there is no other way to get fresh water. Pigeons have a different method. They use their beak like a straw to suck water.

Pigeon Pigeon - Photo: Dimitry Elagin/Shutterstock

Senses and Abilities

Do Pigeons Have a Good Eye-Sight?

Pigeons have very good eyesight. They can clearly see objects that are 22 miles (35 km) away - when there are no clouds in between. Like humans they can recognize colors, but they also perceive ultraviolet light.

How Fast Is a Pigeon?

Letter pigeons can reach speeds of up to 75 mph (120 km/h).

How Far Do Pigenos Travel?

Some pigeon species are especially cultured and trained to find their way back home. These pigeons are able to cover distances of more than 620 miles (1,000 km).

Pigeons Have a Magnetic Sense

How does a pigeon find its way home, particularly over unbelievably long distances? It uses the earth’s magnetic fields for orientation.

Pigeon Pigeon - Photo: Irina Falkanfal/Shutterstock

Intelligence

Are Pigeons Intelligent?

An international team of scientists at the Duke University, North Carolina, USA, found out that pigeons can memorize up to 725 patterns for several years. On photos they can recognize a particular person even in different clothes.

Pigeons are also very good at multitasking. They can quickly switch between different two different tasks or puzzles. Even faster than humans.

Pigeons love to gamble. They do it even though they know they could lose their bet (= food). There are only a few other animal species are known to show play behavior, such as primates and dolphins.

They also have a similar understanding of time and space as chimpanzees.

Importance to the Ecosystem

Pigeons eat seeds and spread them around which helps plants to reproduce in new locations. Pigeons are also an important source of food for birds of prey such as the peregrine falcon, the kestrel and the sparrowhawk.


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