When Do Pigeons Start Cooing?
Pigeons are known for their distinct cooing. Whether passing through the streets or sitting on a bench in a park, you are sure to hear these birds making noise. But do they start cooing right after birth? If not, when do pigeons start cooing?
The chicks of pigeons will generally start to coo when they are seven to eight weeks old. Before that, they can make sounds. But their sound will not be as deep-throated as the adult pigeons.
Now, can some chicks start cooing later than usual? If so, what factors influence the timing of the first coo? Well, if you want to know all about these, you would like to keep on reading.
Read more about pigeons behavior:
How Old Are Pigeons When They Start Cooing?
As mentioned earlier, a baby pigeon can not make the same cooing sound as an adult pigeon after birth. It takes about two months for the chicks to start cooing. Generally, they make coo sounds right after the 7-week mark.
However, sometimes, chicks can take a bit longer to start cooing. That is, not all baby pigeons will begin to make coo sounds after the 7 to 8-week mark.
On the other hand, some chicks can start cooing very early. You may even see some baby pigeons cooing at being just 26 days old.
Are There Any Environmental Factors That Influence When Pigeons Start Cooing?
Some factors directly contribute to the first proper coo of a pigeon. Some of them are described below:
01. Living Conditions
Like humans, pigeons need proper conditions for quick growth and maturity. So, if the baby pigeon is kept in a stressful or crowded environment, it may experience a delayed growth rate.
That will eventually make the chick start to coo much later than the usual period.
02. Nutrition and Health
The diet of pigeons plays a crucial role in their growth. A chick that is not getting a nutritional diet will delay maturity. In other words, a pigeon will not start to coo as early as others without a proper diet.
So, if you want to hear your pet pigeons coo at the right time, make sure that they are not malnourished.
03. Seasonal Conditions
For adult pigeons, the cooing intensifies during the breeding season. That is, during the spring and summer months, pigeons will start to coo more than usual. The same does not apply to the chicks, as pigeons reach sexual maturity at around 7 months.
However, the seasonal condition can have an impact on the growth of the chick. And if the pigeon is not in a favorable climate condition, it may start to coo much later than usual.
See our in-depth “Pigeon Behavior” article to learn what these urban birds eat. We cover their dietary habits and nutrition.
What Behaviors Do Pigeons Exhibit Before They Start Cooing?
Before the baby pigeons start to coo, they will make other sounds. For example, the chicks will make whistling or squeaking noises before they can properly coo.
These sounds allow the baby pigeons to get the attention of their parents. And generally, you will find the chicks making sounds when they are hungry or uncomfortable in their nests.
Besides, the baby chicks can start to move a little before learning to coo. The movement also enables them to catch the attention of the parents.
How Often Pigeons Coo?
Adult pigeons coo at all times of the day. Sometimes, you will even find them cooing during the night. However, baby pigeons will coo only when they need something.
That is, most of the time, you will find that the chicks are quiet and not making any sounds. They will only try to get their parent’s attention by making sounds or cooing.
And as mentioned earlier, the chicks would want attention generally when they are hungry.
Do Pigeons Coo Like Doves?
Both pigeons and doves make cooing sounds. In fact, for these two birds, cooing is the most recognizable characteristic. However, the cooing sound of a dove and the coos of the pigeons are not the same.
Generally, dove coos are a bit more melodic. In other words, the doves make smoother cooing sounds. On the other hand, pigeon coos are a bit repetitive. And sometimes, the cooing of pigeons can be a little guttural.
Furthermore, the coos of doves are a bit longer in length. Pigeons, on the other hand, generally do not make a longer coo sound.
What Is the Typical Sound of a Pigeon Cooing?
Pigeons coo in a rhythmic and soft manner. The typical sound of a pigeon’s coo would be “coo-coo.” It can also be “coo-roo-coo-coo.” No matter what, the sound will be low-pitched and can be pleasant to hear.
But what about the baby pigeons? The squabs, or chicks, do not typically coo like adult pigeons. Their coos can be a little high-pitched. And alongside coos, the squabs can make chirping, trilling, and peeping sounds.
Nonetheless, the sound of the chicks’ coos develops over time. For example, the coos of baby pigeons when they are seven to eight weeks old will be much different than the sound they make when they are more than 3 months old.
Do Pigeons Coo When Happy?
Cooing is the primary form of communication for pigeons. They express a lot of things with their coos. And pigeons can indeed express contentment, relaxation, comfort, and happiness with cooing.
However, you can not forget that pigeons coo for a variety of reasons. So, it’s not like they are cooing just to let you know that they are happy. For example, some coos express their fear, stress, and longing for a partner.
Likewise, pigeons can coo when they are displaying courtship behaviors, defending their territories, or defending themselves.
Final Words
To recap, pigeons will start to coo when they are seven to eight weeks in age. Sometimes, the cooing can be delayed, and it will depend on some environmental conditions.
Now that you know when do pigeons start cooing, you can compare whether your baby pigeons are thriving at the normal rate or not. And with that out of the way, we would like to request you connect with us on our socials.
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Article Reference:
- Popsci.com/animals/pigeon-watching-rosemary-mosco-excerpt
- Ovocontrol.com/pigeon-facts-figures
- Allaboutbirds.org/guide/rock_pigeon/sounds
- Pigeonrescue.org/2021/09/06/whats-the-difference-between-pigeons-doves
Image Credit: Canva.com/photos
