Do Pigeons Eat at Night?
Whether in urban settings or natural habitats, pigeons love to fly around and snatch food throughout the day. And on the note of snatching food, they tend to have 30 to 50 grams daily. But does all the eating happens during the day? Do pigeons eat at night?
Pigeons can eat at night, given that they have access to food and there is enough light around them to see. And when the pigeons do not have access to light and food, they remain sedentary during the night.
Now, the real question is, what do pigeons eat at night? Is it the same type of food they eat during the day or do they have a different preference for food at night? Let’s find out.
Related blog about pigeon foods:
What Do Pigeons Eat?
As long as the food is edible, pigeons in urban settings will eat almost anything. Whether it is insects or leftover food that you throw out, they will munch on everything.
The case is the same for wild pigeons. They will eat whatever nature throws at them. That includes worms, ants, seeds, berries, vegetables, and fruits.
What about pet pigeons? Pet pigeons will generally enjoy a mixture of cracked corn, sunflower seeds, wheat, millet, and sorghum.
What Do Pigeons Eat During the Night?
As long as you offer the pigeons some food and there is enough light around, they will eat the same type of food that they eat during the day. So, if you want to feed pigeons at night, you can offer them seeds, fruits, vegetables, or insects.
However, you should note that pigeons only need to be fed once. And it is better to offer them food in the morning. They will generally not eat all of it at once. Instead, they will nibble the food throughout the day.
Alongside that, you should avoid offering them a high-fat diet. If they do not fly around or exercise throughout the day, they can become obese.
We have covered an in-depth article on “Pigeon foods and Diet“; if interested, you can check this article here.
Do Pigeons Eat in the Evening?
Pigeons are generally active during the day. They tend to return back to their shelters. However, you can definitely find them being active during this period of the day.
So, it is surely possible for you to see them nibble on food in the evening. That is, of course, if they have access to the food. They generally will not look for more food if they eat throughout the day.
What Time of the Day Do Pigeons Eat?
Pigeons tend to feed at various times throughout the day. Mostly, they will remain highly active in the morning. During that period, they will fly around and be near the bird feeders, where they will munch on seeds and other types of food available there.
That said, you can not forget that pigeons are opportunistic feeders. So, they will eat whenever food is available for them. In other words, they can eat any time of the day.
Generally, in urban areas, they will feed on the time of the day when people are most active. For example, they will pick morning or afternoon as their time for hunting food.
On the other hand, in natural settings, pigeons tend to forage for food at different times of the day. In this case, it all depends on the availability of grains, seeds, and other food sources that they rely on.
What Should You Feed Pigeons in the Evening?
In the evening, you can offer pigeons the same type of food that they nibble on during the day. That includes:
01. Seeds
Pigeons are known to rely on different varieties of seeds. However, pigeons have some preference toward a certain type of seeds. And they will often choose these over the others if available:
Sunflower Seeds: These are favorites for many birds. And pigeons are not an exception in this regard. Also, these seeds are packed with fat and protein, which makes them an ideal food source for pigeons.
Millet: Small and round grains are popular for many birds. Millet is full of nutrients, and most importantly, it is easy for pigeons to digest.
Canola Seeds: Also known as rapeseeds, Canola is a good source of protein and oil. And thanks to it being highly nutritious, it will be a perfect pick for evening food for the pigeons.
Wheat: Another grain that is often favored by pigeons is wheat. Like the other seeds mentioned here, it is a great source of nutrients and energy. And you can easily incorporate it into the diet of the pigeons.
02. Vegetables
Pigeons are known for munching on different types of vegetables. However, they tend to prefer these over the others:
Lettuce: It is a good moisture source; most importantly, pigeons can easily digest it. And it is probably the first thing pigeons will eat if you offer them a mixture of vegetables.
Spinach: Known for being highly nutritious, high in vitamins, and rich in minerals, pigeons love to munch on spinach. And the great part is that you can pick either fresh or frozen spinach for pigeons.
Carrots: You can offer pigeon carrots. It is a good source of minerals and vitamins. And it will be possible for you to feed them carrots either grated or fresh.
Peas: Another vegetable that is enjoyed by pigeons is peas. Peas are a good source of protein. So, you can offer peas to pigeons at any time of the day.
03. Fruits
Pigeons eat a variety of fruits. But there are some that these birds love more than others. And they are:
Apples: A good source of vitamins and minerals. You can offer Apples to pigeons in sliced or fresh condition.
Grapes: Pigeons love grapes for how juicy and sweet they are. And the great part is that you can offer grapes in both frozen and fresh conditions.
Melons: Watermelon, cantaloupe, and other types of melons are favorites for pigeons. Like grapes, you can offer melons in fresh and frozen forms.
Berries: Pigeons love to munch on different types of berries. That includes raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries. They are great for filling up the antioxidant and vitamin levels. So, you can offer them at any time of the day.
Wrapping Up
Pigeons have a varied diet. And one of the things that make them stand out from other birds is that they are opportunistic feeders. So, if you were wondering do pigeons eat at night, the answer is yes.
They will eat pretty much at any time of the day as long as they have access to food and enough light around them.
With that out of the way, if you want to know more about pigeons, get yourself connected with our socials. You will find us on Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest.
Image Credit:
- Canva.com/photos
