Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation
Pigeon Information
A well-known bird.... or is it?
Pigeons are not native to North America. They came from Europe and have adapted well to our continent, especially to human-settled areas like urban centers and farms.
Though they come in a variety of colours, they are typically gray or white with dark bars on the wings and a broad dark-coloured band on the tail. Their feet are typically red and they often have red eyes.
They are very fast flyers.
General Information
The pigeon (also known as the Rock dove) was introduced into North America as a domesticated bird, but many escaped and formed feral populations. The pigeon is now the most common bird pest associated with people.
Pigeons inhabit lofts, steeples, attics, caves, and ornate architectural features of buildings where openings allow for roosting, loafing, and nest building. Nests consist of sticks, twigs, and grasses clumped together to form a crude platform.
Breeding may occur during all seasons, but peak reproduction occurs in the spring and fall. A population of pigeons usually consists of equal numbers of males and females.
In captivity, pigeons commonly live up to 15 years and sometimes longer. In urban populations, however, pigeons seldom live more than 3 or 4 years. Natural mortality factors, such as predation by mammals and other birds, diseases, and stress (due to lack of food and water), reduce pigeon populations by approximately 30% annually.
Perhaps their most-feared predators are bird-hunting raptors such as Peregrine falcons, Merlins, Goshawks, and Gyrfalcons. Not many birds can catch a pigeon on the wing but these species are specialized hunters, built to capture their prey in the sky, sometimes by knocking them down with a 'body slam'.
Diet:
Pigeons are primarily grain and seed eaters. They also will feed on garbage, livestock manure, insects, or other food materials left out by people. In some urban areas, pigeon feeding is considered a form of recreation. They require about 30 ml (1 ounce) of water daily. They rely mostly on free-standing water, but they can also consume snow.
Pigeons nesting in the attic...Left: adult pigeon in the raftersRight: young pigeons nesting in insulation
Potential Damage
Pigeon droppings deface and accelerate the deterioration of buildings and increase the cost of maintenance. Large amounts of droppings may kill vegetation and produce an objectionable odour. Pigeon manure deposited on park benches, statues, cars, and unwary pedestrians is aesthetically displeasing. Around grain handling facilities, pigeons consume and contaminate large quantities of food destined for human or livestock consumption.
Pigeons may carry and spread diseases to people and through their droppings. It is not unusual for the birds of prey that hunt them to be affected by those diseases as well. Typical pigeon diseases are: ornithosis (also called psitticosis), encephalitis, Newcastle disease, cryptococcosis, toxoplasmosis, salmonella, histoplasmosis, trichomonas, and several other diseases.
The ectoparasites of pigeons include various species of fleas, lice, mites, ticks, and other biting insects, some of which readily bite people. Some insects that inhabit the nests of pigeons are also fabric pests and/or pantry pests. The northern fowl mite found on pigeons is an important poultry pest.
Pigeons located around airports can also be a threat to human safety because of potential bird-aircraft collisions, and are considered a medium priority hazard to jet aircraft.
