Do Pigeons Do A Mating Dance?
Like any other bird, pigeons engage in a series of courtship behaviors. Through those, these birds try to attract mates and get themselves a partner. But how does the courtship behavior start? Do pigeons do a mating dance?
Pigeons do perform a mating dance to attract a mate. Usually, male pigeons are the ones that do such courtship behavior. And this behavior is believed to be a signal that states that the male is ready for mating.
But is that all that you have to know about the mating dance of pigeons? Not really. There’s so much more to the topic! And you can learn all about them by continuing to read.
Read more about pigeons behavior:
Do Pigeons Have a Mating Ritual?
Pigeons have a distinct mating ritual. And both males and females take part in this ritual. For the males, specifically, showing the courtship is essential. Otherwise, they will be unable to find a partner and a female to mate with.
The mating ritual of the pigeons also allows the birds to form a bond. And yes, even though the males often start the ritual, females must participate. Without the response of the females, the courtship behavior can be thought to be unsuccessful.
That said, the pigeons’ mating ritual is not as complex as some other birds. But they have a well-defined set of behaviors, leading to successful breeding and raising offspring.
See our in-depth “Pigeon Behavior” article to learn what these urban birds eat. We cover their dietary habits and nutrition.
What Are the Signs of Pigeon Mating?
There are a few signs that tell that the pigeons are mating or are ready to make. Among all, these are the most concrete indications:
1. Mating Dance
During courtship, the male pigeons perform a physical display, basically a mating dance. This mating ritual can involve a wide variety of behaviors. And there are distinct mating ritual behaviors for both the males and the females.
2. Building a nest or preparing to build one
When the pigeons are ready for mating, they will start to build a nest. Before starting the mating ritual, they might begin to collect all the nesting materials. That includes feathers, grass, and twigs. Or they can build a nest first and then look for mates.
Alternatively, the pigeons might select a preferable location and build the nest together after finding a mate.
3. Mutual Preening
Once the pigeons successfully establish a bond, males and females will generally start to preen each other. That is, they will begin to groom each other feathers. This behavior enables them to strengthen the bond and prepare for breeding.
4. Spending More Time Together
As the breeding season approaches, males and females will stick with each other a little bit more than before. And in case you are wondering, there are two primary breeding seasons for pigeons.
The first one starts in March and ends in June. And the other one starts in August and ends in November.
What Type of Movements Do Pigeons Use in Their Mating Dance?
As mentioned earlier, pigeons can perform the mating dance with a set of behaviors. Here is a brief description of each:
Bowing and Cooing: The most common movements that the males will opt for in the mating dance are bowing and cooing. During these movements, the males will bob their heads up and down. While doing so, they will coo softly to the females.
Puffing Up the Chest and Fanning the Tail: Male pigeons want their target female pigeons to be attracted to them. That’s why they tend to puff up their chests and fan their tail feathers. This makes the birds look larger and more impressive to the female.
Trilling and Whistling: While keeping their chest puffed up and tail feathers fanned, the males will use vocalization sounds. That includes whistles and trills. These allow the male birds to further attract the attention of the females.
Preening: Once the male birds get the attention of the female, the males will try to engage in mutual preening. That is, as mentioned, the birds will try to groom the feathers of the females. This enables the male to form a successful bond with the female.
What Do Female Pigeons Do During Mating Dance?
The mating dance might be mainly on the male pigeons, but females also participate. During the courtship, females will respond to the behavior of the male birds. These responses act like signals, letting the males know that the female is interested.
That said, one of the most common behaviors that females exhibit is head-bobbing and cooing. These behaviors are similar to the bowing and cooing that males exhibit during the mating dance.
Finally, when the females accept the males, they will start participating in the preening session initiated by the males. At this point, the bondage will begin to grow.
How Long Does the Pigeon Mating Dance Typically Last?
For pigeons, the courtship and mating ritual can take anywhere from several weeks to several months. It depends on the experience of the birds and the quality of the nest that they have.
On the other hand, the mating dance is not really that long. Depending on how easily the females respond, it can take a couple of minutes.
How Do People Interact With Pigeon Mating Dances?
The mating dances of pigeons can be entertaining to observe. However, no matter what, you should not intervene. Remember, the mating ritual is a natural thing for pigeons. And any obstructions or limitations can hinder them from mating.
Instead, observe the dance from a distance. Do not disturb the pigeons by making any sounds. Likewise, do not try to get their attention when they are performing their natural mating behavior.
What Do Pigeons Do When They Mate?
When pigeons mate, males will mount the female from behind. The male will press his cloaca against the female’s cloaca. Afterward, the male will deposit his sperm and dismount the female.
Now, this contact with each other’s cloaca is known as a “cloacal kiss.” And in case you were wondering, the cloaca is an opening that pigeons use for both reproduction and waste elimination.
Yes, pigeons do not have a vagina-type or penis sexual organ. Instead, they have cloacal openings.
Final Words
To summarize, pigeons do perform a mating dance. The males often initiate this dance, while females respond to their courtship behavior. And once successful, the dance will end up with mutual preening.
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