Pigeons are a ubiquitous sight in urban environments, often seen strutting through parks and perching on buildings. Their presence is so common that it might lead one to wonder about their life cycle, particularly why baby pigeons, known as squabs, are so rarely observed. This intriguing absence prompts curiosity about what these young birds look like and the hidden aspects of their early lives.
The Unique Appearance of a Baby Pigeon
A newly hatched baby pigeon, or squab, looks quite different from the adults commonly seen in cities. They emerge from the egg blind and helpless, with translucent, often pink or grayish skin that appears almost bald, save for a sparse covering of yellowish, hair-like down feathers. These initial feathers offer little insulation or camouflage. Their eyes are closed at hatching and typically open around day five.
Squabs possess a disproportionately large, fleshy, and broad pinkish beak, along with noticeable external ear openings below their eyes. Their feet and wings can also appear oversized relative to their small bodies, which are initially around 5 cm in length and weigh about 15 grams. This appearance, characterized by sparse down and visible skin, contrasts sharply with the sleek, feathered adults.
Why Baby Pigeons Remain Hidden
The primary reason most people never encounter baby pigeons stems from their nesting habits and their developmental stage at birth. Pigeons, originally cliff-dwelling birds, have adapted to urban landscapes by selecting secluded, elevated nesting sites that mimic their natural habitats. These locations include building ledges, attics, ventilation shafts, and areas under bridges or roof tiles, which offer protection from predators and human disturbance. Their nests are often simple platforms of twigs and debris.
Pigeon squabs are altricial, meaning they are born in a highly undeveloped and helpless state. Unlike precocial birds that can walk and feed themselves shortly after hatching, squabs remain confined to the nest for an extended period. During this time, they grow and develop feathers, only emerging once they are nearly fully feathered and resemble miniature versions of adult pigeons, making them difficult to distinguish.
The Journey to Adulthood
The transformation of a squab into a fledgling ready to leave the nest is a rapid process. After hatching, the blind, helpless squabs rely entirely on their parents for nourishment. Both male and female parent pigeons feed their young a unique, nutrient-rich substance called “crop milk”. This “milk” is a secretion of fluid-filled cells from the lining of the parents’ crops, a pouch in their throat, and is rich in proteins and fats.
For the first few days, crop milk is the squabs’ exclusive diet, providing the necessary energy for rapid growth. Around day five, their eyes begin to open, and by day ten, prominent pin feathers become visible on their wings and bodies. As they continue to grow, their diet gradually shifts to include seeds and grains introduced by the parents. By the time they are ready to fledge, usually around four weeks old, they have developed most of their adult-colored plumage.