The common pigeon, often the Feral Pigeon (a descendant of the wild Rock Dove), is one of the most globally distributed and recognizable birds. These stout-bodied birds thrive in urban environments, having adapted well to human infrastructure across nearly every continent. This article clarifies the specialized terminology used by ornithologists and breeders to refer to pigeons by gender and age.
Specific Terminology for Pigeons
A female pigeon is formally called a “hen.” This term is a common designation for adult female birds across many domesticated species, including chickens, turkeys, and ducks.
The adult male pigeon is known as a “cock,” a name also shared with males of various other poultry and fowl species. These terms are used consistently in the pigeon-breeding community, sometimes with further distinctions like “young hen” or “old cock” applied based on age.
The offspring, or young pigeon, is called a “squab” while it is still in the nest. This name for the immature bird is unique to the pigeon and dove family. Squabs are generally able to fly and leave the nest between 25 and 32 days after hatching.
Essential Pigeon Biology
Pigeons and doves belong to the scientific family Columbidae, which contains over 300 species worldwide. Members of this family are characterized by their relatively small heads, short necks, and a short, slender bill with a fleshy cere at the base. They typically lay a small clutch of one or two white eggs in a rather flimsy nest constructed from sticks and debris.
A biological feature shared by both sexes is the ability to produce “crop milk” to feed their young. This highly nutritious substance is secreted from the lining of the crop, an enlarged section of the esophagus used for food storage. Both the male and female pigeon contribute to feeding the squabs this crop milk for the first week or so of life.
The production of this milk is hormonally regulated by prolactin, the same hormone that governs lactation in mammals, demonstrating an example of convergent evolution. Crop milk is distinct from mammalian milk because it is a holocrine secretion containing high levels of fat and protein but lacks carbohydrates. This shared parental duty ensures the rapid growth of the altricial hatchlings.