Information About Pigeons

Pigeons are any type of bird that belongs to what is known as the Dove family of various types, as there are five sub-families that include 308 different species, distributed throughout the world except for the Antarctic of the Earth. They are plump birds with a range of… Their length ranges from 15 to 75 cm. Pigeons feed on seeds and grains in general and some other foods such as fruits and food scraps. They have a beautiful appearance and bright colors. Some pigeons are social with each other to the point that it is said that a gathering of extinct passenger pigeons has obscured the sun in a gathering. There are also other species that prefer solitude and seclusion.

Home of pigeons

The highest diversity of pigeons is found in South America, Australia and the Pacific Islands, and they can usually be found in temperate to tropical regions that include lowland rainforests, upland forests, riparian forests, boreal forests, savannas, deserts, atolls, mangroves, swamp forests, forest edge, agricultural areas, suburbs and urban areas. Tropical rainforests are considered the most diverse place for pigeons. They can live at altitudes ranging from sea level to 5,000 metres, and they are also able to colonize oceanic islands due to their excellent ability to fly.

Morphological characteristics of pigeons

Pigeons are described as birds with small heads, beaks, and short legs. They also have smooth skin at the base of their beaks and a ring of bare skin that wraps around their eyes. They can be red, blue, yellow, or white in color. Their weight ranges from 30 to 2000 grams, with males being heavier. Of females, their flight muscles constitute approximately 40 percent of their weight to allow them to fly and maneuver excellently. Their colors vary according to their species. Crowned doves, for example, are gray on the upper side while the lower parts are decorated in pink or maroon with white spots on their wings. There are many Pigeons have ornamental rings around their eyes and iridescent feathers all over their bodies.

Behavior of pigeons

Pigeons have behaviors that distinguish them from others. Inca pigeons, for example, to obtain warmth, stand close to each other in turns, while other species fluff their feathers in cold climates to obtain some warmth, and in hot climates in hot areas, pigeons tend to sit in cold places. With their feathers raised so that they do not touch the other parts of their body or the body of the birds next to them, which allows them to get rid of the heat and enjoy some coolness. Pigeons spend their time bathing in water or in the rain. They also rub themselves in the dirt and dust to get rid of dirt.

Pigeons are also distinguished by their ability to navigate. They were used in the past as a means of delivering messages. In World War I and World War II, carrier pigeons were a means of delivering messages across enemy lines. There are types of them that are considered sedentary birds, while others are classified as migratory birds whose stability is linked to their food. Some fly. Types of pigeons travel distances of up to 40 km every day in search of food. They are highly precise in choosing places to build their nests. They are characterized by aggression during the breeding period and are ready to attack with their beaks in defense of their nests and chicks.

Diet for pigeons

Pigeons are mainly grain and fruit eaters, but they sometimes eat insects, snails, worms, lizards, leaves, buds, and flowers. Grain-eating species have specialized gizzards, intestines, and esophagus that help them eat and digest seeds. Grains are stored in these gizzards and gradually ground inside the gizzard with the need to drink. Plenty of water to facilitate the digestion of these seeds. Desert species of pigeons obtain their drinking water from plants that contain water, and they also have the ability to drink salt water.

Breeding pigeons

Pigeons are considered monogamous birds, meaning they have one pair that lasts for years. They perform certain displays as a form of courtship for mating, where the males sit cross-legged with their tails raised and their heads lowered, in addition to fluttering their wings and touching them to the ground as a form of display. Some species also perform aerial displays that include clapping. With their wings, which means courtship and indicating the boundaries of the area. Pigeons reproduce with eggs. Females can lay two eggs at any time of the year. These eggs are usually white in color, and the egg incubation period lasts approximately 14 days.