Pigeons
(Columbidae - Please see also Doves)
Pigeon Heroes: Pigeons Intelligence & Amazing Facts about Pigeons .... Pigeon Species / Breeds ... Photo Gallery (Photos of Pigeons with Links to Species Pages) ... All About Pigeons: DVDs and Books for Pigeon Lovers - Now available in: 
, 
, 
, 
Pigeons and doves are some 300 species of near passerine birds in the order Columbiformes. The terms "dove" and "pigeon" are used interchangeably, although smaller species are more likely to be called doves. The species commonly referred to just as the "pigeon" is the feral Rock Pigeon.
The average lifespan of a pigeon is 10 to 15 years. The oldest recorded pigeon was around 33 years. Pigeons reach sexual maturity at 6 to 10 months. The young doves and pigeons are called "squabs". A person who keeps pigeons is called a "pigeon fancier".
This family occurs worldwide - except the driest and coldest regions. The greatest variety is in the Indomalaya and Australasia ecozones. It is related to the extinct dodo.
Pigeon Intelligence & Competencies
Messenger / Homing Pigeons & Their Applications
Description
Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere.
Systematics and evolution
The family is usually divided into five subfamilies, but this is probably inaccurate. For example, the American ground and quail doves which are usually placed in the Columbinae seem to be two distinct subfamilies. The order presented here follows Baptista et al. (1997) with some updates (Johnson & Clayton, 2000; Johnson et al., 2001; Shapiro et al., 2002).
Note that the arrangement of genera and naming of subfamilies is in some cases provisional because analyses of different DNA sequences yield results that differ, often radically, in the placement of certain (mainly Indo-Australian) genera. This ambiguity, probably caused by Long branch attraction, on the other hand seems to confirm that the first pigeons evolved in the Australasian region, and that the "Treronidae" and allied forms (crowned and pheasant pigeons, for example) represent the earliest radiation of the group.
Exacerbating these issues, columbids are not well represented in the fossil record. No really primitive forms have been found to date. The genus Gerandia which most likely belongs to the Columbinae has been described from Early Miocene deposits of France. Apart from that, all other fossils belong to extant genera. For these, and for the considerable number of more recently extinct prehistoric species, see the respective genus accounts.
Copyright: Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia.org
Breeding / Nesting:
Feral pigeons mate for life. They usually build flimsy nests using sticks and twigs they collect from their environment.
The average clutch consists of two white eggs, which are incubated for about 18 to 19 days by both parents.
They are excellent breeders and may produce up to 8 clutches each year under optimal conditions. The frequency of breeding is dictated by the abundance of food.
Unlike most other birds (but see flamingo), doves and pigeons produce "crop milk", which is secreted by a sloughing of fluid-filled cells from the lining of the crop. Both sexes produce this nutritious ‘pigeon milk’ which is regurgitated and fed to the young.
A chick can double its birth weight in one day. The eyes open when the chicks are about four days old.
At approximately 2 months of age the young are ready to leave the nest.
Diet:
In the wild doves and pigeons feed on seeds, fruits (including berries), green leaves, shoots, and other soft plant material. They also eat insects, including spiders.
Basic Pigeon Food: can be pelleted or a mix consisting of seeds, cereals and legumes.
Greens: lettuce, endive, chickweed, clover, watercress, and spinach.
Fruits: berries, apple, pears, etc.
Miscellaneous Bird Foods: game bird crumbles, water soaked dog biscuits, and water or milk soaked bread
Religious / Cultural Significance of Pigeons:
Some religions feed pigeons for cultural reasons. As part of a ceremony, sikhs feed pigeons to honor the high priest and warrior Guru Govind Singh - a known friend of the pigeon (or rock dove). Some Sikhs feed pigeons because they believe that when they are reincarnated they will never go hungry if they have fed pigeons in their previous life.
Other religious groups in India believe that when a person dies his or her soul assumes the form of a bird (often a pigeon) and therefore by feeding birds they are caring for the souls of their departed ancestors.
Huge flocks of pigeons are being fed daily at Hindu temples in town and city centers throughout the country.
In the Christian religion the pigeon is both a symbol of peace and of the Holy Spirit.
Personality & Pet Potential:
Elizabeth Young, Mickaboo Pigeon & Dove Coordinator, provides the following info:
Pigeons need:
- Safe place (indoors or outdoors, protected from weather and predators)
- Room to move (a space that is 3’ high, 3’ wide, 6’ long is good for 1 to 2 birds)
- Fresh food (pigeon feed), water, grit & greens daily
- Easy clean-up floor &/or Pigeon Pants (www.birdwearonline.com)
- Company (either yours or another pigeon’s)
- Family planning (if you have a mated pair, you need to replace real eggs w/ fake ones)
- Avian Vet Care if they become sick or injured
To adopt a pigeon, contact Elizabeth at AdoptKings@gmail.com or (415) 420-7204
For more info:
- Come meet King Pigeons at Andy’s Pet Shop on 1280 The Alameda (at Julian) in San Jose
- Visit Mickaboo Companion Bird Rescue at www.mickaboo.org
- Check out www.pigeons.biz/forums (a great web group with lots of info and resources) Read about King Pigeon rescue at www.RescueReport.org
Pigeon Rescue:
Mickaboo Pigeon & Dove Coordinator - Contact: Elizabeth Young
Related Web Resources:
Pigeon Genetics (Excellent Website) ... New England Pigeon Supplies ... The Ultimate Pigeon Page ... Blue Pigeons ... Gerard and Bas (Sebastiaan) Verkerk ... Polygamous Breeding Method Layne Gardner ... Photos by Thomas Hellmann of Rare Russian Breeds ... Almond History and Description by Ken Davis ... Photos by Thomas Hellmann of Rare Polish Breeds ... 395 Concourse of So. Calif.
Racing (Please also go to individual pigeon species below for racing information): C.I.B.S. Canary Islands Breeding Station (racing pigeons) ... Dubai Racing Pigeon Club ... Homing Pigeons ... Racing Pigeon Fancier.com - Lost & Found Birds
All-Breed Clubs / Associations: National Pigeon Association / Clubs ... Alabama Pigeon Club ... Arizona Pigeon Club ... Bayshore Variety Pigeon Club ... Central
Pacific Pigeon Club ... Faircount
Pigeon Club ... Lake of the Ozarks Pigeon Club ... Pecos
Valley Pigeon Club ... Pigeon Fanciers Association of Rochester, New York ... Southern
Ohio Pigeon Association ... Virginia Pigeon Association ... White
Rose Pigeon Association ... Layne's Pigeon Site - Pigeon Clubs & Links
Photo, Video and/or Article contributions are welcome! Please click here for info
The Avianweb strives to maintain accurate and up-to-date information; however, mistakes do happen. If you would like to correct or update any of the information, please send us an e-mail. THANK YOU!
