Why Would A Pigeon Be Alone?
If you have seen enough pigeons, you probably know they are very social birds. They tend to stay in flocks, and couples always do everything together.
So, does that mean they can’t be lonely? If so, why would a pigeon be alone? Like any other animal, pigeons have emotions. They can feel stressed, happy, and, most importantly, lonely. But in general, pigeons can be alone or feel lonely when they fail to find a mate or do not get as many social interactions as needed.
But can the loneliness get to them so bad that they die out of it? Also, is there any other reason behind pigeons feeling lonely? Stick around if you want to get all the answers.
Interested in similar topics on pigeon habits:
Can Pigeons Live Alone?
Pigeons can live without being in contact or living with other birds. However, in such cases, you have to make sure that they are getting enough attention from you. And no, it is not just feeding and caring for them.
Other than that, you have to hang around with them basically throughout the entire day. Make sure that they are getting the right amount of activity and are in a good mood.
Otherwise, a pigeon without a pair will start to feel lonely. And that could eventually have severe consequences on the bird’s health. But once the domestic birds form a strong bond with the caretaker, loneliness is never an issue for them.
Learn about pigeon lifestyle in “Pigeon Habits” . We cover their eating, nesting, and interactions with humans.
Can a Pigeon Die from Loneliness?
While there is no conclusive evidence regarding pigeons dying out of loneliness, social isolation is not good for these birds. That is, social isolation and lack of stimulation can negatively impact pigeons’ mental and physical health.
You need to understand that pigeons, in natural settings, are social birds. They thrive on interaction with others of their kind and humans. And in the wild, where there is little human involvement, these birds live in flocks.
For that reason, when you keep pigeons in isolation, they will start to experience depression, stress, boredom, and loneliness. That could make the birds exhibit abnormal behaviors.
How Do You Know a Pigeon Is Lonely or Alone?
When the pigeons experience loneliness, they will exhibit some peculiar behaviors. Among them, these can effectively tell you whether the birds are lonely or not:
Louder Vocalizations
Pigeons primarily rely on cooing for communicating. Whether it is with birds or with humans, vocalization is the main form of communication for them. So, when they are lonely, they will try to express feelings by frequently cooing or cooing loudly.
The loud vocalization, according to them, is an attempt to get attention. It could be for you, the caretaker, or the pigeons that are around.
Lack of Activity
When the birds are not in a good mood, such as being bored or lonely, they will not engage in physical behaviors. In fact, you might not even make the pigeon participate in activities even when you are encouraging it.
Self-Mutilation or Feather Plucking
Plucking feathers is one of the common behaviors of birds when they are lonely or depressed. The case is the same for pigeons. Sometimes, they can be very aggressive about it and might end up hurting them.
Lack of Appetite
When the birds experience negative feelings, they tend not to eat as before. Eventually, you will find them losing weight. And as they fail to get the nutrients needed to be healthy, the bird’s health will start to show different issues.
What Are the Causes of Pigeon Loneliness?
There are many things that can make pigeons feel lonely. And if you really want to get to the bottom of the issue, you have to know about all the causes correctly. So, here’s a brief description of each:
Lack or Loss of a Mate
Pigeons are known to mate for life. Yes, they can make a strong bond with their mate. And when there is a lack of one, these birds can feel lonely.
The case will be the same when the bird’s partner passes away. In that case, the pigeon will experience loneliness and grief, producing abnormal behaviors.
Social Isolation
As you know, pigeons are very social birds. They thrive on reactions that they get from other birds of their kind. So, when you keep them isolated, it is normal for them to experience loneliness.
Environmental Changes
Changes in the environment can put stress on pigeons. For example, when they move to a new location, these birds have to make an effort to learn the area. That can cause a disruption in their social connections, leading to loneliness.
Human Negligence
Pigeons kept as pets can experience loneliness when their caretakers neglect them. Over time, these birds will form a strong bond with humans. And the birds will expect proper attention and social interactions from them.
How Can a Pigeon Owner Help a Lonely Pigeon?
As a caretaker, you can help the pigeon escape the feeling of loneliness. You really do not have to do much. These will be more than enough:
Interact with the Bird
As mentioned earlier, pet pigeons will eventually form a bond with their caretakers. And when they do, these birds will expect interactions and attention from them.
So, as an owner, you should make time to interact with them. It could be as simple as supervising them when they are outdoors.
Ensure a Comfortable Living Environment
Pigeons thrive well when they are living in a comfortable environment. Ensure that their cages are spacious and clean. Also, see whether the living area is well-ventilated. If not, move them to a better nest or aviary.
Entice the Birds with Food
Make sure that the bird is getting proper access to food. Also, try to determine what type of food the pigeon likes. Add more of that to the diet. On that note, you should also ensure that they have access to water all the time too.
Introduce Them to Other Pigeons
If you have more than one pigeon, introducing the lonely bird to the others would be a good idea. But do not rush the introduction. Instead, make it natural and gradually familiarize the birds with each other.
Final Words
So, why would a pigeon be alone again? In short, these birds will feel lonely when they are not getting the social interactions they need. Likewise, a lack or loss of a mate can also make them experience loneliness.
That is pretty much all there is to it regarding the topic. If you found this post helpful, you are likely to find our future posts interesting too. And to stay updated, please consider connecting with our Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest accounts.
References:
- https://www.petmd.com/bird/behavior/how-tell-if-your-bird-unhappy-or-stressed-and-what-do
- https://www.thesprucepets.com/signs-that-your-bird-is-depressed-390423
Images Credit:
- Canva.com/photos
