For thousands of years, pigeons have been
performing many functional tasks for humans.
They differ in forms and colors. And not only
are they beautiful creatures but also possess
some great skills. Since they easily adapt to
all kinds of environment, they can certainly be
kept in areas with dense population. They can be
tamed and can live in small spaces. They do not
smell, make very less noise and are inexpensive
when it comes to caretaking.
Pigeons are loving creatures and are usually a
monogamous lot. They mate for life and live life
in pair. The mating process usually occurs as an
organized ritual. Once the pair goes through the
courting stage and mate, they start to build a
nest and make cushion-like squabs using
feathers. The pair remains faithful to each
other for their entire life or until some
external element separates them. If either of
the mates dies, the other one will mate again
with another single pigeon. Usually long
distance does not affect the bond between two
birds unless there is some influence from an
unmated pigeon around it.
In general each pair of pigeons have two nests.
The pigeons usually lay two or more than two
pair’s offspring’s and two nests are a
sufficient space to care for each offspring. The
nests are eleven to twelve inches in length.
Usually the nest is made out of hay or straws
but tobacco stems are best as they prevent the
nest from insects.
Pigeons have unique mating habits. Once the male
pigeon has singled out his interest for a
certain female pigeon, it begins to show off. It
coos in specific ways to entice the female
partner, it starts an arrogant gait to interest
the other one and tries to show off its manly
features. If interested, the female becomes
friendly with the male thus giving an invitation
to mate. The pair then selects a place to make a
nest and build a nest together. Once the nest is
built, the pair mates and prepare themselves for
the birth of their brood. When the female lays
the egg, it sits on the egg for more than 24
hours after which the male takes its mate's
place on the eggs so that its partner can eat
and rest.
Their offspring’s grow quickly so the parents
continuously have to provide nourishment. They
feed their young ones with 'pigeon milk' that
secretes from the parents' gullets and later on
the nourishment comes in the form of partially
digested food eaten by the parents.
In some unfortunate cases, pigeons might be
barren or infertile so they may not be able to
produce young ones. In this situation the pair
must be separated so they can find new mates and
resolve their infertility issue.
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