Domestic pigeon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Domestic pigeon |
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| Red Sheffield domestic homing pigeon | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Columba
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| Species: |
livia
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| Subspecies: |
domestica
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| Synonyms | |
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The domestic pigeon (Columba livia domestica) is a type of pigeon. It comes from the rock dove, which is the oldest bird ever tamed by humans. People started taming pigeons over 5,000 years ago. Ancient writings from Mesopotamia and Egypt show this. Some studies even suggest it happened as far back as 10,000 years ago.
Domestic pigeons usually live for about 15 years.
Pigeons have helped people a lot, especially during wars. Their amazing ability to find their way home made them great messengers. These special "war pigeons" carried important messages. Some even received medals for their bravery. For example, Cher Ami won the Croix de Guerre. Pigeons like G.I. Joe and Paddy earned the Dickin Medal. These awards recognized their help in saving human lives.
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Pigeon Families and Babies
Domestic pigeons have babies much like their wild relatives, the rock pigeons. Usually, humans choose which pigeons will breed together. Parent pigeons make a special food called pigeon milk for their chicks. Sometimes, people use other foods if needed. Pigeons are very protective of their eggs. Baby pigeons are called squeakers or squabs.
Amazing Homing Pigeons
Trained domestic pigeons can find their way home from far away. They can do this even if they've never been to that spot before. They might fly up to 1000 kilometers (about 620 miles)! A special type called homing pigeons was bred for this skill. People still use them for pigeon racing. They are also used in "white release dove" ceremonies at weddings and funerals.
Pigeons use two main ways to find their way home. The first is "map sense," which tells them where they are. The second is "compass sense," which tells them which way to fly. They use different clues for these senses. One idea is that they can feel the Earth's magnetic field. They might have tiny magnetic parts in their heads. This is called magnetoception. Another idea is that they use the sun's position and an internal clock to know direction. However, pigeons can still get home even if these senses are messed up. This shows they use many different clues to navigate.
Other clues pigeons might use include:
- Using the sun as a compass.
- Navigating by stars at night.
- Remembering visual landmarks.
- Using very low-frequency sounds (infrasound).
- Feeling polarized light.
- Using their sense of smell (olfactory stimuli).
Other Ways Pigeons Are Used
Pigeons for Food
Pigeons are also raised for meat, especially young birds called squabs. Squabs grow very big in the nest before they can fly. At this stage, they are valued as food. A large white pigeon called the "King pigeon" was bred for meat. Pigeons raised for food are known as utility pigeons.
Fancy Pigeons for Shows
Pigeon fanciers are people who love pigeons. They have created many unique and beautiful types of pigeons. These are called fancy pigeons. Fanciers show their birds at competitions. Judges compare the birds to a set of rules to find the best one. Some fancy breeds include the English carrier pigeon. These have special fleshy growths around their eyes and a very upright stance. The "Duchess" breed has feathers covering its feet like a fan. Fantail pigeons are also very pretty with their fan-shaped tail feathers.
Flying and Sporting Pigeons
Some people keep pigeons for fun flying contests. Breeds like tipplers are flown in endurance contests. Owners see whose pigeon can fly the longest.
Pigeons in Science
Domestic pigeons are often used in science experiments. They help researchers learn about biology, medicine, and how brains work (cognitive science).
Pigeons and Brain Science
Pigeons have shown amazing abilities in experiments. For example, they learned to tell the difference between cubist and impressionist paintings. In a US Coast Guard project called Project Sea Hunt, pigeons were better than humans at finding shipwreck victims at sea. Research on pigeons helps us understand how they see shapes and textures. It also teaches us about memory and how they sort things into categories. Pigeons can even learn basic reading skills and counting, similar to what some primates can do.
Wild Pigeons in Cities
Many domestic pigeons have escaped or been set free over time. They have become the feral pigeons we see in cities. These pigeons have many different feather colors. Some look very much like the original wild rock pigeons. The pure wild rock pigeon is now rare because it has bred with these feral birds. You can often tell a domestic pigeon from a feral one. Domestic pigeons usually have a metal or plastic band on one or both legs. This band has a number that shows they belong to an owner.
Images for kids
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An 18-day-old pigeon in its nest with an egg
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Domestic pigeons flying together
