Pigeon Facts

Ever seen a pigeon in your life? Do you know how they look like? How do they behave? What do they eat to live? How do they affect human beings' existence? Are they advantageous to have around or do they pose risk or threat to our very existence? These are just some of the common questions we ask ourselves when we encounter the idea of understanding a creature, in this case pigeons. They can be just questions to some. However, to a few critical people in this planet, knowing the answers to these questions would entail a deeper understanding and consequentially care and appreciation for the species. They deem to gaining sufficient knowledge about the pigeon species will enable them to know their roles as well in their relationship with bird species as well to the other interrelated species of the planet. From there they will know what to do in case they would ever see one, or in case they would encounter certain issues and or problems from the pigeon's presence. Therefore, it is understood, that for us to become better rationally understand individuals, we have to learn more about the things around us. That would include understanding pigeons as well and what they are in our human lives.

More often than not, pigeons are considered as pests rather than pets in the range of human existence. This is frankly because they do cause more direct trouble to human beings rather than giving them a sense of convenience. This is also the primary reason why most people would rather not seek the real understanding on pigeons and would instead delve into looking for the most potent of ways to get rid of them. And then, that’s the only thing they would ever know by then with pigeons.

While this is an okay course of action, there should still be an added necessity to know more about the biological nature of pigeons as this is a better course of action. Knowing more about pigeons will not only enable you to understand them but will also enable you to know the appropriate effective ways on how to deal with them without having to kill them at all. Perhaps most people believe in this strategy, however, this is by far the most effective and efficient way to become truly appropriate in addressing any pigeon problems that may arise.

In this article we will be discussing about the natural biological backdrop of pigeons from its nomenclatures, classification of species, range, habitats and their diet. Hopefully the information you will get out from this article will be able to help you in your undertakings with our little creature friends with feathers.

Pigeons

Pigeon is actually a common name of a family of birds and are practically comprised of different classifications. The smaller of species of this family of birds are called doves, however, their sizes overlap. Pigeons are most prevalent in the warmer regions of the planet. They are also pretty many that their massive population had made it more difficult for human beings to control them. They have then somehow infiltrated to human territories thus regarding them as nuisance in many urban areas.

Description

Pigeons are easy to identify in terms of their physical appearance. They usually have quite small heads, short necks, and short legs as well. They also have some sort of a sleek plumage and often have waxy of fleshy protuberance at the cere which is located underneath their bills. They are usually found of course dwelling in trees, but for those that have migrated in the urban territories, they are often found flocking in the rooftops and some of them would even nest there. Their main diet is on seeds, acorns, fruits, nuts and small insects. When pigeons fly, they are often found to swarm and they fly rapidly. They are most commonly noted for their cooing voices. Pigeons don't build rigid nests but rather loose and flat nest of twigs. Sometimes they use straws, barks, and weeds to build their nests and they keep it that way to ensure the coolness would be maintained and as well as for proper ventilation. A female pigeon produces one or two white or tan eggs in every litter.

Common Species

Perhaps the most common species of dove in the planet would have been the passenger pigeon. However, their species have gone extinct sometime around early 1900's because of a massive hunt for their meat as an ingredient for a certain American delicacy. At the moment, the most common of all pigeon species are the rock doves. The ancestors of rock doves came from the continents of Europe and Asia where they are native. Typically, rock doves are about 13 inches long and would have long bluish grey above and with certain black markings in their rumps and wings.

Scientific Classification

Pigeons actually comprise the family Columbidae, a part of the higher order of Columbiformes. Then the common pigeons are classified under the Columba livia classification. The white crowned pigeon which is also apparently one of the most common pigeon species are classified under the Columba leucocephala order and the band-tailed pigeons in the Columba fasciata. The extinct species of passenger pigeons are in a different family order, the Ectopistes migratorius. So far these are the most common species of pigeons found in the planet and these are their classifications.

Generalization

Some people may find this information quite futile to their current undertakings with the pigeon problems. However, if one would just find the heart and will to use this information in dealing with pigeons, they can be really quite invaluable. For example, knowing the specific type of species of pigeons you have encountered would enable you to employ the appropriate methods to catch them without killing them. Knowing their habitats would also help you in the process of returning them to their rightful places. That way they can better thrive in their existence without infringing the human territories and thus not causing us any problems in the near future.

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