10 facts about pigeons - friends or vermin?

Dotted around cities, chasing crumbs, fouling on people, and nesting in places they shouldn’t, it might not come as a surprise that some of us don’t like pigeons. Dubbed “rats with wings”, these birds don’t have the best reputation.

This might not be entirely their fault, however. Here are some facts you might not know about the common cooing pigeon, and why we should all be a little nicer to our feathered friends:

1 - Humans domesticated pigeons

That’s right, we domesticated this breed over 5,000 years ago and since then, they’ve been used to help with food, carrying messages, and company. With advancements in technology and changes to farming practices, pigeons have worked their way back into the wild.

2 - Pigeons mate for life

Much like swans, it’s thought that pigeons mate for life. Although, if they were to lose their love in that time, they do tend to find a new partner.

3 - Both sexes produce “milk”

Mother and father work together to incubate their eggs and raise the young, feeding them a regurgitated, milky substance from their throats.

4 - They’re war heroes 

During the two world wars, pigeons were used to carry important messages that helped save lives and win battles. From the 54 Dickin Medals (the animals’ Victoria Cross) awarded in World War II, 32 went to these avian heroes.

5 - They’re fast flyers 

Pigeons are surprisingly fast birds, capable of flying at speeds ranging from 50 to 60 miles per hour and even reaching up to 90 miles per hour over short distances! This is thanks to their streamlined body shape, powerful flight muscles, efficient wing design, and broad tails.

6 - They can recognise themselves

Only a few species are able to recognise their own image, including the humble pigeon! They’re also capable of using a mirror to locate an item on their body that they were unable to see without the help of their reflection. Their recognition skills don’t stop there, they are also able to recognise humans.

7 - They’re very intelligent

‘Clever’ might not be a word we associate with pigeons, especially as we watch them fight over crumbs in the street, but we should start! A new study has found that the way pigeons problem-solve is the same as what humans teach artificial intelligence. Amazing!

8 - You might never see a baby pigeon 

Newly hatched pigeons stay in the nest for up to six weeks, so when they do finally leave, they are almost fully grown and look just like their parents. These young pigeons go on to join a flock, and within a few months, they will mate and produce elusive babies of their own!

9 - Pigeons are a protected species

Under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981, pigeons and their young, nests, and eggs are protected in England and Wales.

As such, it’s on offence to:

• Kill, injure, or disturb any wild birds or their young. 
• Take or destroy any eggs of wild birds. 
• Damage or destroy a nest that is being built or is in use.

10 - They’re a natural clean up crew 

Pigeons help keep our urban ecosystems clean by eating scraps of food that would otherwise contribute to messy landscapes and attract other animals… like rats. Additionally, researchers believe that pigeons serve as a reflection of our environmental impact and can help us track and understand the health of our ecosystems.

So, the next time you see a pigeon while out and about, why not take a moment to consider some of these facts and appreciate their resilience and heroic past?