Are Pigeons Cuddly? Do They Like Being Cuddled?
People often view pigeons as birds that are masters at causing a nuisance in urban areas. However, birds tend to have a soft and fuzzy side. So, the question is, do pigeons stand as an exception in that regard? Are pigeons cuddly?
Pigeons are very affectionate and can be cuddly towards each other. While others might not find them cuddly in a traditional sense, they do snuggle to keep each other comfortable and warm.
So, does that mean you can expect pigeons to like it when you cuddle them? And if so, how do you know that they are okay with you cuddling them? You will find all the answers below!
Read more about pigeons behavior:
Are Pigeons Friendly Pets?
As a society, we don’t appreciate pigeons enough. Yes, they are generally dirty and annoying. They will even cover everything with their feces. But even though they do not have a great public image, they surely know how to express love.
Pigeons can be a great option as a friendly pet. However, you must meet some criteria to make them stay happy in captivity. Yes, these birds are very social and capable of forming strong bonds with humans.
However, you can not forget that they are wild birds in nature. And if you want to domesticate pigeons, you will need to give them specialized care and attention. That might not be a feasible thing for all.
So, if you consider keeping pigeons as pets, you must be very prepared. Also, prepare an aviary or a cage with enough space inside for them to fly around. Make sure that the birds have easy access to food and water.
See our in-depth “Pigeon Behavior” article to learn what these urban birds eat. We cover their dietary habits and nutrition.
Do Pigeons Show Affection?
As companions, pigeons are loyal and loving birds. Pigeons can not only express affection toward each other but also towards other animals. In fact, these social birds can build and maintain strong bonds among their mates and others.
However, it is essential to note that each pigeon is unique. These birds have their own character, and some might have different personalities. Yes, not all pigeons are the same.
Still, with enough time spent, pigeons are bound to form a bond. And when that bond is intact, they will express affection.
Do Pigeons Get Attached to People?
Pigeons have the ability to form strong bonds with humans. This bond can occur in different ways. For example, if you are hand-raising the bird from its birth or giving them constant positive attention, it will get attached to you.
Furthermore, a pigeon can get attached to humans when the bird receives a lot of care and attention from them. Yes, just like forming a bond with a human, you need to give the bird enough time, effort, and love.
It is vital that note that while pigeons can get attached to their caretakers, they have specific needs. And if you don’t meet their needs, the bond might not grow strong. So, make sure to take proper care of them and give them enough of your time.
How Do You Know If a Pigeon Loves You?
Not sure if your pet pigeon has formed a bond with you? Well, there are some signs that can let you know. For example:
1. Seeking your attention
Pigeons will seek out your company when they have bonded with you. You will even find them sticking with you for most of the day. In fact, sometimes, they will coo loudly when you are not around.
2. Trusting you fully
It is not easy to pick up a pigeon and hold it with your hands. They will resist. However, if the bird is comfortable around you and has bonded with you, you can pick them up effortlessly. In such cases, the pigeon will not even try to fly away.
3. Following you around
A pigeon that has grown an attachment will tend to follow you around. That is, you will not find the bird being away from you. In some cases, the bird will not even have food without you around.
4. Displaying affectionate behaviors
When the pigeon loves you, it will start to show affectionate behaviors. These behaviors can range from preening you, tapping you with the beak, and being on your shoulders when you are walking around.
What About Cuddling the Pigeon?
Now that you know that pigeons can be cuddly with themselves, you might wonder whether you can cuddle them. Well, let’s take a deeper dive into the topic to learn more about it.
Is It Safe to Cuddle a Wild Pigeon?
You should not try to cuddle a wild pigeon. First of all, unless you have food, feral pigeons will try to be away from you as much as possible. And even if you have food, they will not trust you fully. So, you will struggle to get a hold of them.
Secondly, wild pigeons can carry diseases. So, you should not cuddle them if they trust you and let you hold them. You definitely do not want to catch diseases such as Histoplasmosis, Psittacosis, and Cryptococcosis, right?
If you really want to hold and cuddle a pigeon, you should try your luck with a pet one. The chances of you getting sick afterward with them will be considerably low.
Do Pigeons Enjoy Being Cuddled?
Pigeons prefer to be held and cuddled by their caretakers. That is if they have formed a good bond with their caretakers in the first place. And the case might be a little different if you try to approach a pigeon that has seen you for the first time.
Still, if the pigeon is friendly enough, you can succeed at holding and cuddling the bird. And no matter what, you should not try to hold or cuddle a feral bird.
How Do Pigeons React to Being Cuddled?
The reaction of the pigeon to your cuddling will depend on several factors. That includes the personality of the bird and its prior experience with being held or cuddled with.
If the pigeon has a not-so-friendly character or has bad prior experience, the bird will try to fly away. And in such cases, you should not forcefully hold or cuddle the bird.
Final Words
So, are pigeons cuddly? Yes, they are very affectionate towards their mates. And sometimes, they can be very cuddly and loving to their caretakers. But you should not try to cuddle a wild pigeon. You will risk your health and might hurt the bird.
With all of that out of the way, hopefully, you found all that you needed to know from this post. And if you want to support us, please consider connecting with our social accounts. You will find us on Twitter, and Pinterest.
Article Reference:
- Pigeonrescue.org/birds/pigeons-doves-as-pets/pigeons-as-pets-indoors-or-outside/
- Nytimes.com/2019/04/20/realestate/is-a-wild-pigeon-legal-as-a-pet.html
- Thehealthyjournal.com/faq/do-pigeons-interact-with-humans
- Nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/pigeon.page
Image Credit: Canva.com/photos
