Do Pigeons Get Cold?
Pigeons are extremely smart and complex animals. They are strong survivors and can withstand cold up to -4 degrees Celsius. They are seen thriving almost anywhere.
They have adopted several strategies to help them thrive in the cold such as flapping their wings. Pigeon keepers often ask forums discussion groups online on such a topic:
do pigeons get cold? Pigeons have developed ways to cope with the cold. They do get cold during frigid months. Keepers find alternative ways to keep them warm during colder months like artificial heating sources.
It is fatal for them if they are injured and can not help themselves. But if they are healthy, they should be fine.
Read the article below to understand how pigeons thrive under the harsh cold climates.
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Why Do Pigeons Feel Cold?
Pigeons are a small specie of birds that tend to lose body heat a lot quicker than their bigger counterparts.
Compared to their small size, they have a proportionately larger body surface area that is exposed to cold air. This makes them lose body heat at a much quicker rate.
What Do Pigeons Do When They’re Cold?
Pigeons do not migrate during the winter. Instead, they are very attached to their nests, which is imprinted on them, and this is where they can be found during winter months.
Whether in the wild or in urban areas, pigeons show less activity to conserve body heat.
In cities, they are found in warm roof ventilators in the city or attics, basically anywhere warm in the city. In the wild, they are found in thick vegetation.
They trap pockets of air in their bodies, and their feathers play a big role in keeping them warm. Their feathers keep them insulated.
They also huddle up together to keep each other warm.
Are Pigeons Okay in the Cold?
Pigeons are okay in the cold; in fact, they can withstand temperatures up to -4 degrees Celsius. They are less active in the colder months, but they do not migrate or hibernate like other birds or animals.
They eat seeds or other scraps. So if you want to feed pigeons during the frigid season, you can try feeding them milo, millet, or corn in a flat feeder closer to the ground. This bird is not in any danger during these times.
Can Pigeons Freeze to Death?
Pigeons do not freeze to death when exposed to cold. While many birds migrate to warmer places or go into hibernation. Pigeons stay where they are during seasonal changes.
Pigeons are in not in any threat during the cold and are relatively low maintenance. They can take care of themselves and prefer to stay in groups. You will find pigeons huddled up together in clusters as they are social birds. It also helps to keep them warm.
How Do Pigeons Stay Warm in Cold Weather?
Pigeons, like most birds, have certain strategies to combat the cold. One of them is to fluff up their feathers.
They also tuck their bills and feet; this isolates the blood flow to their legs in order to circulate in their bodies.
Preening is another thing that pigeons do to combat the cold. It is not just a way for pigeons to groom themselves.
When they preen, they coat themselves with oils to become somewhat waterproof.
In doing so, they stay insulated and become more efficient in warming themselves.
They also shiver in the cold, which is not something you notice from afar, but up close, you can see it. They do it to generate body heat, and that’s how most warm-blooded animals react.
What Temperature Is Too Cold for Pigeons?
Pigeons are extremely resilient birds and can survive almost anywhere unless it is extremely hot or cold.
You won’t find pigeons in Saudi Arabia or the Sahara Dessert due to the extreme heat.
With that being said, they can be seen almost anywhere, from cities to the wild.
As mentioned earlier, Pigeons can withstand up to -4 degrees Celsius making them very well adaptable.
Pigeons are great survivors and are very intelligent birds.
How Do I Protect My Pigeons from Cold?
For Pigeon keepers or enthusiasts, you already know pigeons are very capable and intelligent birds. They are fairly low maintenance.
Keep your coops sealed to prevent the draft from entering. Use electric chicken water for their water during the colder months.
Make sure that they are not injured in any way so that they can be self sufficient; otherwise, they will die in the freezing temperatures, and that is the only way these conditions can be fatal.
How Do pigeons thrive in the cold?
Pigeons are strong survivors and have several strategies to keep themselves warm.
Natural selection has caused these birds to thrive in any part of the world and require little maintenance. They live near humans because human activity is relatively consistent despite the months. They rely on humans for food and warmth.
They rely on humans by taking advantage of their acitivites, by building their nest near them and hover for food.
Pigeons can thrive in almost any condition.
Conclusion
We can agree that pigeons are highly adaptable and strong survivors that can thrive in any conditions with little to no maintenance.
They can be seen almost anywhere aside from extreme cold or hot places, and their populations are on the rise.
Do Pigeons get cold? Is a question many of us tend to ask ourselves, whether it is out of fondness or general curiosity. These birds have closely knit their lives around humans.
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Image Credit:
- Photo from pxfuel.com
- Photo from freepik.com (anatoliifoto)
- Photo from pixabay.com
- Photo from canva.com/photos
Article Reference:
- https://eol.org/pages/7978/articles
- https://onekindplanet.org/animal/pigeon/
- https://edinburghpestcontrolco.co.uk/news/how-pigeons-thrive-in-winter
- https://www.fws.gov/story/how-do-birds-keep-warm-winter
- https://www.pigeons.biz/threads/how-can-i-keep-my-pigeon-warm-in-cold-weather.48280/
