A baby pigeon, known as a squab, is a sight rarely encountered by most people. While pigeons are common birds in urban and suburban environments, their young remain largely out of public view. This phenomenon is due to a combination of their physical development, nesting habits, and rapid growth. Understanding their early life reveals why they are seldom observed.
Distinctive Appearance and Growth
Upon hatching, a baby pigeon is altricial, meaning it is born in a helpless and undeveloped state. Squabs initially appear blind and weak, with closed eyes and a sparse covering of yellowish or golden down feathers over their pinkish or grayish skin. Their features, such as a broad, fleshy bill and relatively large feet, seem disproportionate to their small bodies, which typically weigh around 15 grams and measure about 5 cm in length. The eyes of a squab begin to open around five days after hatching.
As squabs grow, they undergo a rapid transformation within the nest. Prominent pin feathers, which are developing feathers still encased in a sheath, become visible on their wings, back, tail, and breast by about ten days old. By their third week, these pin feathers open into adult-colored plumage across much of their body, making them almost completely feathered. While still smaller and with less iridescent neck plumage than adult pigeons, these nestlings quickly gain weight, increasing their mass significantly each day.
The Secluded Nesting Period
Pigeons are adaptable birds that have transitioned from their natural cliff-dwelling habitats to urban environments, where tall buildings and structures mimic rocky ledges. These birds prefer to build their nests in hidden, sheltered, and often inaccessible locations, which keeps their vulnerable young out of sight from the general public. Common nesting sites include ledges, attics, unused roof spaces, chimneys, and under bridges or solar panels. These elevated and concealed spots provide protection from predators and human disturbance.
Pigeon nests, often described as flimsy structures made from sticks and debris, become sturdier over time as the birds reuse them. Both parent pigeons are involved in caring for their offspring and are protective, ensuring the squabs remain undisturbed within the nest. Unlike many other bird species whose young may leave the nest much earlier, baby pigeons remain in these secluded locations for an extended period, typically between 25 to 32 days, or up to 45 days in colder conditions. This prolonged nesting period means that by the time they emerge, they are well-developed and capable of survival outside the nest.
Rapid Development and Independence
A key aspect of pigeon biology contributing to their rapid growth is “crop milk,” a nutrient-rich substance produced by both male and female parents. This specialized secretion comes from the lining of the parents’ crop, a pouch in their throat, and is fed directly to the squabs. Pigeon crop milk is high in protein and fat, containing approximately 44% protein and 40% fat on a dry weight basis, and it lacks carbohydrates. It also contains antioxidants and immune-enhancing factors, similar to mammalian milk.
Squabs are fed exclusively on this crop milk for their first week or so of life, which fuels their fast development. After this initial period, adult food, such as seeds, is gradually introduced into their diet. This nutritious feeding regimen allows squabs to grow from their hatching weight of about 15 grams to between 270 and 350 grams by the time they are approximately 30 days old. By the time baby pigeons fledge and leave the nest, typically around four to five weeks of age, they are nearly the size of adult pigeons and possess almost full adult plumage. This advanced state of development means that when they finally venture out, they are often indistinguishable from mature birds to the casual observer, which explains why seeing a visibly “baby” pigeon is uncommon.