Pigeon Facts and information that will satisfy your questions, including fun facts.
Some people want to learn as much pigeon facts and information as possible. Therefore, this article and the entire website are here to support you.
So, what are some pigeon facts and information? Because the pigeon has been around forever, this article will give you pigeon facts and information that will change your views about these birds.
Meanwhile, if you have never looked into pigeons before, we invite you to come with an open mind.
Here we go.
Pigeon in the Wild
Pigeons are like any other beings in the Animal Kingdom.
Therefore, pigeons date back thousands of years, at least.
For example, did you know that pigeons are part of a group of birds that constitute 300-plus species globally?
Because this website focuses on the types of pigeons most people are aware of; I will stick to the ones that are closely related.
As a result, we have two kinds of birds interested in the wild.
Indeed, the dove is famous. You might have seen them around national parks or released into the air at wedding ceremonies and other festive occasions.
Because they are pretty, doves tend to ignite good feelings and are used to represent peace, especially within the Christian culture, where sometimes it represents the Holy Spirit.
Meanwhile, the rock dove is a descendant of the dove, and it is precisely like the pigeons you see in the cities, except the rock dove lives in the wild.
Consequently, some people call the rock dove a rock pigeon or common pigeon.
So, if you are out in a national park and you run into a pigeon, especially a timid one, chances are it is a rock dove and not the type of pigeon you’re accustomed to seeing in cities.
Domestic Pigeon
When it comes to pigeons, the domestic pigeon is king. It is probably what brought you to this article. Certainly, it inspires love in many people for birds in general.
So, what is a domestic pigeon? A domestic pigeon is a type of pigeon found around humans as pets, as collaborators, and even as food.
Because of human association with these birds, we know that at least for ten thousand years, these birds have been around.
For example, ancient societies such as the Mesopotamians and Egyptians mention these birds.
Above all, a domestic pigeon is a pet kept by someone called a fancier.
They have a unique relationship.
For instance, a fancier will take care of pigeons, show them in shows, or even have them compete.
Because they are pets, pigeons can be trained, including flying to their fancier’s hand with a simple whistle.
Therefore, that relationship is fantastic to witness!
Indeed, because of that type of relationship and the understanding that these birds can be trained, some pigeons became war heroes.
For example, consider the case of Cher Ami, whose name means “Dear Friend” in French and whose stuffed body stands tall today in the Smithsonian Museum.
Cher Ami was wounded during World War 1 but still delivered the message that saved soldiers’ lives.
However, pigeons are also like any other bird for some people, and they are eaten.
For instance, a famous dish is called squab, which is of French origin, even though it is also what people call a baby pigeon. https://www.popsci.com/eat-pigeons-squab/
Moreover, pigeon meat is not readily available in Western societies and is expensive.
As a result, pigeon meat tends to be served in high-end restaurants.
Types of Pigeons
Of course, the domestic pigeon is not all created equally. Pigeons are a diverse group of birds.
So, what are the types of pigeons? There are hundreds of different kinds of pigeons, and this article focuses on the most popular ones.
For instance, many fancy breeds are adorable, some of which are classified and shown by organizations.
For example, the fantail pigeon is probably the most popular in the fancy group. Unlike ordinary pigeons, their tails are fluffy and fan-shaped.
In addition, the fantail pigeon’s tail generally has about three times more feathers than the average pigeon.
Likewise, another group of extremely popular pigeons is the rollers.
Because they roll in the air or on the ground, which is generally due to selective breeding, these pigeons are associated with locations where they were initially selectively bred.
For example, the Birmingham roller, which is considered the most popular of these types, is from the city of Birmingham in the United Kingdom.
Certainly, the most popular is the homing pigeon.
Because this type of pigeon can find its way home, even from extremely far distances, all sorts of people have become interested in it.
Moreover, the racing homer, a sub-breed, can fetch a high price, depending on its skills.
For example, recently, a Chinese fancier bought one of these for about 1.4 million United States Dollars.
Racing pigeons are extremely popular worldwide.
Therefore, there are many types of domestic pigeons.
Feral Pigeon
Indeed, some pigeons are neither here nor there. For instance, they’re not in the wild, but they are not domestic, either. Therefore, these pigeons are usually called feral pigeons.
So, what is a feral pigeon? A feral pigeon is a pigeon that lives in cities without being domestic. For instance, these are the ones you find on city streets.
Because they, or their ancestors, have chosen to leave or escape from domestic life, feral pigeons are still closely related to humans.
However, humans do not dictate their lives.
For example, whereas humans choose the mate for a domestic pigeon, a feral pigeon will choose its own mate.
On the other hand, feral pigeons are often the subjects of human loathing, as they are considered pests.
For instance, you will hear people use phrases like “flying rats” about them.
That is, feral pigeons are not domesticated and are generally met with hostility.
However, some humans still like them, feed them, and think of them as cute.
Certainly, most of these friendly people would not want them in their homes, though.
Because of this hostile culture, and because the law does not protect these birds, there are a growing number of American companies that provide products to deter, kill, or destroy feral pigeons.
Similarly, no law protects feral pigeons in Australia, but a pest license is required to shoot them.
However, in the European Union, the birds are protected, with the exception being afforded to farmers.
But people are working hard to save them.
For example, in the United States, there are organizations like Palomacy, which rescues and offers them for adoption.
Conclusion
Certainly, pigeons are like any other birds in the wild and are plentiful.
Because pigeons are some of the oldest domesticated birds in the world, dating back thousands of years, it is impossible to imagine a world without them.
For instance, the incredible skills of these birds to find their way home from long distances makes them attractive to people interested in sports.
On the other hand, there are also those whose love for birds, in general, makes them keep pigeons as pets.
Likewise, there are those whose love of meat makes them pigeon lovers.
Therefore, the reasons may vary, but the reality is the same: humans are interested in domestic pigeons.
However, there is also the type of pigeons that most don’t want to associate with.
People see them as dirty and unworthy.
In other words, humans are not all interested in these birds the same way.
P.S. Final Thoughts
Because this article focused on pigeon facts and information, let us know what about pigeons interests you.
For instance, are you planning to become a fancier or someone who keeps pigeons?
If so, check out our Resource page, as we list information on how to start that process.
However, if you just came because you wanted some information, we would love to hear your feedback.
For example, let us know if we gave you the information you came for.
We will reply to your comments!
Frank Schmidt is a bird lover who lives in Germany and travels all over the world.