I wonder where the pigeons hide their chicks? Many of us must have thought about this, looking at carelessly plump feathered birds walking around the squares and boulevards. But the truth is, without pigeons it is difficult to imagine a city ​​landscape, but we see, as a rule, developed strong birds. And then where are their offspring? Or doves immediately become adults? Let's try to find the pigeon's nest!
Meet the Gray Dove
So where do the pigeons hide their chicks in the city? But first, let's find out what kind of bird this pigeon looks at with curiosity with one or the other eye while you crumble bread for it.
The gray pigeon (Columba livia) was tamed by humans since ancient times, adapted to life near it and abundantly populated human habitats. In the wild, this bird lives for no more than 5 years, and when raised and properly cared for, it can live up to 30 years of age.
As you can see, pigeons are able to appreciate the benefits of living next to people. But people have very different attitudes to these birds - from admiration for their beauty and behavior, to a squeamish comparison with city rats, they say that they also spread the infection (which is only partially true) and also unclean (and here a lot depends on people )
How doves build a nest
One of the most amazing qualities of these birds - pigeons - Monogamous. They choose a mate for life and honestly share with their beloved the difficulties of building a nest, and then raising children.
Their family relationships can be envied: choosing a site for nesting, the pigeon waits for the pigeon to appreciate it. That, if she is happy with everything, slowly sits down on a still bare place and tries on some time. A dove nearby patiently waits for a sign and, having received approval, begins to wear building material, while the dove collects a nest from it (just laying twigs and blades of grass under it).
The female lays one or two eggs, and both parents incubate them alternately. True, the pigeon-father, sitting on the eggs, is always eagerly waiting for the dove, who has gone to feed and relax, while cooing, inviting her (well, this is not a man’s business!).
After 20 days, and sometimes a little earlier, tiny 10-gram lumps appear from the eggs, blind and covered with thin fluff - pigeon chicks. Within a month, this little creature will have to turn into a presentable strong bird. Of course, caring parents will help him in this. So after all, where doves hide their children?
How doves look for nesting places
In the Mediterranean, where these birds come from, they build nests in coastal cliffs, so in urban conditions their descendants spread around the world try to find secluded places resembling once native landscapes: ventilation shafts, voids in buildings, abandoned attics, hollows in high trees or piers under bridges. In short, all places where you can find enclosed space are suitable for a pigeon family.
As you probably already saw, the birds that are being told are not very neat. And no matter where the pigeons hide their chicks, their nests look completely unpresentable - an unformed pile of small twigs and grass with a small depression in the middle. Sometimes, if a place for a pigeon family seems particularly successful, it returns to the same nest every year, only slightly restoring it with a pair of twigs or straws.
Where doves hide their chicks until they grow up
Unlike their rocky relatives, city pigeons, easily adapted to life with people, learned to sit even on thin branches and wires. But they, like their ancestors, having found a place suitable for nesting not without a fight, magically take care of their chosen one, fluffing their tail and performing a mating dance with bows and pirouettes in front of a dove fascinated by them. And just as selflessly they continue to feed their chicks that remain in the nest until the moment they turn into adult individuals capable of independent life.
Therefore, in huge flocks of pigeons and chicks or teenage birds are not visible - all of them are simply under the maternal and paternal wings in a safe shelter.
Features of pigeon education
Where the pigeons hide the chicks, the latter probably lives perfectly. These birds have practically no enemies, and there is enough food around. So the baby is in no hurry to stand on the wing.
In addition, the pigeon family has one unique feature - it feeds its offspring with the so-called “bird milk”, which among the birds only flamingos and some species of penguins can do.
Poultry milk is a special white, mushy secretion, rich in fats, proteins and trace elements, which is secreted from the goiter by both the male and the female, who feed offspring. Chicks receive it for 18 days, and then move on to solid food. This process goes quite smoothly. At first, the baby receives only the easily digestible “milk”, but after 3-4 days, supplements from softened grains and grains of sand appear in secret, and gradually, by the age of three weeks, the cubs turn into solid food and water, which the parents bring to their insatiable child.
How doves grow
If you accidentally find a place where pigeons hide their chicks, you may be surprised that in one nest the chicks vary greatly in size. But it turns out that in some pairs the dove already after 2 weeks after the birth of offspring can again begin to incubate eggs. And the father is already engaged in the babies born at this time.
By the way, in the case of the death of a dove, the male is able to feed the young one alone, but in the same situation, the young ones most often die in the same situation. And sick pigeons are usually thrown pigeons, thus preserving the health of their population.
Time to go out
Trying to find out where the pigeons hide their chicks, do not forget that you can’t get close to the places where these birds were laid, and even more so pick up little chicks. This can frighten pigeons and make them leave the nest, despite the fact that they are very calm about people at other times.
But when everything is already behind, and young pigeons can begin an independent life, they adjoin the pack, which lives near the place where the pigeons hide their chicks. By the way, they are very attached to their habitat and always try to return there.
The flocking life of these birds is based on the benefits that it can bring for the search for food, water or protection from enemies. Couples are always noticeable in the pack - they stay close to each other, do not snatch food from each other and constantly demonstrate their affection. This does not happen between other people's pigeons - they try to stay at a distance that will not allow them to get hit with their beaks.
Now it’s clear where the pigeons hide the chicks!
If you look closely at the flock, then an attentive observer will still be able to detect young growth by a dimmer plumage, the absence of iridescent shimmering feathers on the neck, as well as by restless behavior.
Pigeons just left the nest, at the age of 28-34 days, although they look like adults, continue to go after their parents and beg for food from them. Those who are already 34 days old, confidently fly with their parents in search of food and to a watering place. Young birds often gather in flocks and begin to lead an adult lifestyle.
We hope now that after finding out where the pigeons hide their children, and also how they feed the offspring, you will be very warm about these glorious birds, which fill our cities with special cosiness and kindness.