The common feral pigeon, scientifically known as the Rock Dove (Columba livia), is a familiar sight in urban environments globally. Pigeons are masters of concealment, preferring to build their nests in hidden, sheltered locations like window ledges, under bridges, and within building cavities. This keeps the early stages of their development out of sight. Their reproductive activity can occur throughout the year depending on climate and food availability, resulting in a consistently fast nesting cycle. Understanding the timeline from egg laying to independence reveals a sophisticated strategy for survival in the urban landscape.
The Incubation and Hatching Stage
The reproductive cycle begins when the female pigeon lays a small clutch, which almost always consists of two white eggs. This small clutch size aligns with the parents’ capacity to produce specialized nourishment for their offspring. Once the eggs are laid, the parents immediately begin the incubation process, which typically lasts for about 18 days. Both the male and the female share this duty, ensuring the eggs are kept at a stable temperature. The male often sits on the nest during the day and the female takes over overnight.
Squab Development Inside the Nest
The newly hatched baby pigeons, referred to as squabs, are born in an altricial state, meaning they are initially blind, nearly naked, and completely helpless. Their survival relies entirely on “crop milk,” a substance unique to pigeons and doves. This curd-like secretion is produced by both parents from the lining of their crop. Crop milk is exceptionally rich in protein and fat, which fuels the squabs’ explosive growth. For the first few days, the young birds are fed pure crop milk, delivered via regurgitation. After the first week, parents gradually introduce small amounts of softened adult food into the mixture. By the end of the second week, the squabs transition to a diet consisting entirely of semi-digested seeds.
The Fledging Timeline
The period squabs spend in the nest is relatively long compared to many other small bird species, a direct consequence of their unique feeding mechanism. Pigeons typically leave the nest, a process called fledging, between 25 and 32 days after hatching. This duration allows the young bird to reach a size and development stage that makes it a capable flyer upon leaving the nest site. The rapid growth supported by crop milk enables this extended nest stay. By the time they are ready to fledge, squabs are nearly the size of adults and possess a full set of flight feathers. This developmental strategy is why the public rarely sees the awkward, half-feathered juveniles often observed in other bird species.
Post-Fledging Dependence
Leaving the nest does not immediately equate to full independence; the young pigeon still requires parental support to master survival skills. After fledging, the young birds will often remain near the nest site for an additional one to three weeks. During this time, they continue to rely on their parents for supplemental feeding while they learn to forage for seeds and water on their own. Parental care can extend up to 45 days or longer, with the adults continuing to provide food and protection. This post-fledging phase is a learning window where the young bird develops efficient flight control and the ability to navigate the urban environment before becoming a completely independent adult.