Pigeons are a common sight in urban landscapes, often seen in public spaces or on buildings. Despite their widespread presence, a common observation is the apparent absence of baby pigeons. This phenomenon leads to questions about where these young birds are.
The Hidden Nesting Habits
Pigeons, specifically Rock Doves, are descendants of wild cliff-dwelling birds, reflecting this ancestry in their nesting habits. In urban environments, they seek secluded, elevated locations mimicking natural cliffs and caves. Common nesting sites include ledges of tall buildings, under bridges, within abandoned structures, and various nooks and crannies offering shelter.
These locations protect from predators, human disturbance, and the elements. Pigeons prefer sheltered areas with flat surfaces, making building ledges, window sills, and rooftops ideal. Nests are often simple, constructed from twigs, grass, and other debris, sometimes reinforced by droppings. Their hidden, inaccessible spots explain why squabs are rarely observed.
Rapid Growth and Fledging
Another reason for the infrequent sighting of baby pigeons is their remarkably fast development. Pigeon squabs are altricial, meaning they hatch blind, nearly featherless, and entirely dependent on their parents. Both parents share incubation duties for about 18 days and feed hatchlings a nutrient-rich substance called “crop milk” for the first week.
Squabs grow rapidly, gaining between 4 and 8 grams per day in their first week, then around 20 grams daily. Within 3 to 5 weeks (25 to 32 days), they transform from helpless chicks into fully feathered, nearly adult-sized birds ready to leave the nest. This rapid transition means the window for seeing them as small, vulnerable chicks is very narrow, as they spend this entire period concealed within their nests.
What a Young Pigeon Looks Like
When young pigeons leave the nest, they are large and easily mistaken for smaller adults. While resembling mature birds, subtle differences distinguish them. Juvenile pigeons may have less vibrant plumage or a scruffier appearance compared to adult feathers.
Their eyes offer a clue: juveniles under eight months old often have medium-brown or grayish-brown eyes, unlike the yellow, orange, or reddish-orange eyes of adults. The cere, the fleshy growth above their beak, may appear pinkish-grey in juveniles, not the white seen in adults. The iridescent purple and green sheen around an adult pigeon’s neck is often absent or less developed in younger birds. These characteristics mean young pigeons blend seamlessly with the adult population when seen.