The common question of how long a pigeon is “pregnant” for stems from a misunderstanding of avian biology. Pigeons, like all birds, are oviparous, meaning they reproduce by laying eggs rather than undergoing an internal gestation period. The timeline for pigeon reproduction is measured from mating to the independence of the offspring, encompassing egg formation, external incubation, and the subsequent growth of the young.
The Reproductive Cycle: From Mating to Egg Laying
The pigeon reproductive process begins with a committed pair bond, as these birds are often monogamous and mate for life. Courtship involves the male, or cock, performing elaborate strutting and cooing rituals to secure the female, or hen, as his partner. Following successful mating, a brief period of internal development occurs before the egg is ready for expulsion.
The formation of the shell around the fertilized ovum takes place over several days inside the female’s body. The first egg is typically laid eight to twelve days after mating. Pigeons rarely lay a large clutch, with two eggs being the standard number.
The two eggs in a clutch are not laid simultaneously but are spaced out by approximately 44 hours. This staggered laying means the second egg is often slightly behind the first in development. Parents usually wait until the second egg appears before commencing incubation.
Incubation: The Timeframe for Development
Incubation is the time the fertilized egg spends outside the parent’s body, developing under constant warmth. This period provides the necessary conditions for the squab to form before hatching. The precise duration of pigeon egg incubation is consistently between 17 and 19 days.
The parents share the demanding task of keeping the eggs at the optimal temperature. This teamwork ensures that the eggs are never left unattended or allowed to cool for long periods. The male pigeon typically assumes the incubation duties during the day, from mid-morning until mid-afternoon.
The female then takes over the longer shift, sitting on the nest from late afternoon through the night and into the following morning. This division of labor allows both parents to forage for food and water while maintaining continuous warmth on the clutch.
Raising the Squabs: From Hatching to Fledging
Once the eggs hatch, the young birds, known as squabs, are altricial, meaning they are born blind, nearly featherless, and completely dependent on their parents. The newly hatched squabs are initially fed a unique, highly nutritious substance called “crop milk.” This milk is a lipid- and protein-rich secretion sloughed from the lining of the parent’s crop, a muscular pouch near the esophagus.
The squabs feed exclusively on crop milk for the first week of life, which fuels their rapid growth. After this initial period, the parents gradually introduce regurgitated seeds and softened food into the squabs’ diet. This transition prepares the young pigeons for an adult diet.
The squabs remain in the nest, growing from a tiny hatchling to a fully feathered bird that closely resembles the adults. Fledging, or leaving the nest, typically occurs between 25 and 32 days after hatching. Because the young are nearly adult-sized before they take their first flight, people rarely encounter very young pigeons.