Why Pigeons Are Worth Watching?
Pigeons may often be overlooked as just another common city bird, but these feathered creatures are actually worth paying attention to. Did you know that ancient civilizations used pigeons as messengers in Egypt and Rome due to their impressive homing ability?
These versatile birds have also been trained to deliver important documents and messages long distances. Moreover, from aerial somersaults to being able to understand alphabets and numbers to their monogamous nature, pigeons are quite a fascinating bird species.
But there’s more to them; impressive problem-solving skills, unique courtship displays, and countless reasons to watch and appreciate pigeons. These often-overlooked birds also hold important cultural significance in various parts of the world, from being revered as symbols of peace to being featured in artwork and literature.
This article will go over several reasons why pigeons are interesting to observe. So let’s take a closer look at these incredible birds!
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All Reasons Why Pigeons Are Worth Watching?
Pigeons, often seen as common and mundane birds, are actually fascinating creatures that are worth paying attention to. Here are a few reasons why:
01. Pigeons have impressive navigational skills.
They are able to find their way back to their nests from long distances, even if they have never been to that location before. Scientists believe that pigeons use a combination of the Earth’s magnetic field, the sun’s position, and their sense of smell to navigate.
02. Pigeons are highly adaptable.
Pigeons are able to thrive in a variety of environments, from urban cityscapes to rural areas. They are also able to survive on a variety of food sources, including seeds, fruit, and even scraps from trash cans.
03. Pigeons have strong social bonds.
They form long-lasting relationships with their mates and often mate for life. Pigeons also have complex communication systems and can recognize individual members of their flock.
04. Pigeons have a rich history.
They have been domesticated for thousands of years and have been used for a variety of purposes, including as messenger birds during World War II.
05. Pigeons are intelligent animals.
Studies have shown that they are able to solve problems and even recognize their own reflection, a trait that was previously thought to be unique to humans and some primates.
Overall, pigeons may not be the most glamorous or majestic birds, but they are definitely worth watching and appreciating for their impressive abilities and rich history. Next time you see a pigeon, take a moment to observe and appreciate these fascinating creatures.
What Is the Value of Watching Pigeons?
Pigeons are highly intelligent birds, and as humans, observing animals amongst us can give us a new perspective in life and even teach us a thing or two!
1. Pigeons As Messengers
Since the mid-1800s, when Paul Julius Reuter utilized pigeons to deliver the newspaper, it was evident that pigeons have a special ability to locate and remember locations if taught well.
Pigeons were used as messengers in both world wars, fascinating to think such intelligent birds live in every corner of cities around us!
2. Pigeons Interact With People
People love interacting with these city-dwelling birds because their sentient reactions are quite interesting.
Many tourist hotspots around the world, like Piazza San Marco in Venice and Trafalgar Square in London, are infamous because of pigeons! Pigeons can sense people who are kind to them and have given them food and will also remember them the next time the pigeons see them.
Some pigeons in the flock are more extroverted and show “begging behavior” where they go near the people and express their need for food by moving their beaks or hovering around the people.
As soon as the people start giving food, the other pigeons of the flock rush to the person to take their part. Piegons are one of the only birds who interact with humans in such a sentient manner.
3. Pigeons Do Aerial Acrobats
Many birds have unique flying patterns, however, most of them can be linked to some kind of reason, whether that be to attract a mate or escape from a prey.
Pigeons, on the other hand, do backflips and somersaults in the air for no reason at all. Their impressive aerial moves are surely a sight to watch!
4. Pigeons Can Understand Alphabets and Numbers
Studies have shown that pigeons can be taught to differentiate between alphabets and perceive letters similar to how humans do!
Not only that, they have shown mathematical skills like the rhesus monkey, where they displayed the capacity to understand and apply abstract mathematical concepts.
Along with that, they were also able to distinguish between items that resemble numbers, organize pairs, and make accurate judgments about amounts.
What Makes Pigeons Interesting to Watch?
We have seen thus far that pigeons are fascinating and quite intelligent birds, but what makes them interesting to watch?
Their colorful feathers and their charming beauty! Other than that, their aerial acrobatic skills make them a treat to look at. Birmingham rollers is a special type of pigeons that can quickly perform reverse somersaults while falling.
Another distinguishable flying pattern of pigeons is that they fly in circular motion to orient themselves to a certain location, maybe by memorizing the topography and local aromas.
Pigeons are preyed upon by a variety of birds, including Cooper’s hawks, red-tailed hawks, and peregrine falcons. When a flock of pigeons takes off, look to the skies for raptors.
What Can We Learn from Watching Pigeons?
Pigeons, as a species, were always heavily linked and associated with human history. From the use of passenger pigeons to send letters in World War I to feeding pigeons in the neighbourhood park, they have adapted to the human race better than any other bird could.
We may not realize it but we have much to learn from these birds.
1. Unity And Monogamy
For one, pigeons’ faithfulness to their mate is truly something to learn from. They mate for life and are known to be monogamous animals, unlike many animals in the world.
2. Affectionate Nature and Family-oriented
They are very protective parents. Many say that they have never seen a baby pigeon, that is because pigeon parent nest in the more secretive cracks or ventilators of buildings. Pigeons may not look the part but they take parenting very seriously!
They do not allow their baby pigeon’s to leave the nest until they have fully matured and learned to fly.
3. Resiliency
They have a resilient feature, which is the ability to survive, adapt and thrive in many conditions, such as the ever-changing urban environment. Their adaptation skills to the behaviors of mankind are something to learn from.
4. Social Skills
Pigeons are probably one of the most amicable birds towards humans. After years of coexisting together, they have truly integrated themselves into our society.
Pigeon feeding is a common activity most people enjoy. Their kind-hearted nature towards the ones that feed them are truly something to admire.
How to Watch Pigeons?
Pigeons are all around us! If you fancy watching pigeons, just go to your neighborhood parks or look at electricity poles, you may find what you’re the prettiest pigeon perching on a random pole!
Final Words
Pigeons are often misunderstood as urban pests because they are always around, but even they have a flair within them. Pigeons are definitely worth watching!
To learn new and eye-opening facts about the beloved city bird – pigeons, stay tuned and keep an eye out on our Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest, where we share all things pigeon-related.
Article References:
- Discoverwildlife.com/animal-facts/birds/feral-pigeon-flying-rat-or-urban-hero/
- Thedodo.com/21-reasons-you-should-apprecia-544907825.html
- Citywildlife.org/pigeons-misunderstood-but-magnificent/
- Blogs.massaudubon.org/yourgreatoutdoors/why-you-should-appreciate-pigeons-yes-pigeons/
- Heraldbulletin.com/opinion/columns/on-nature-the-relationship-between-Humans-and-pigeons-is-ancient/article_07ed6436-653d-11ea-89bd-d3fee78f9539.html
Image Credits:
- Immediate.co.uk
- Canva.com/photos (Roman_Makedonsky)
