Do Pigeons Eat Fruits?
Pigeons’ diet mainly includes grains and seeds.
But since they are omnivorous birds, you might be wondering do pigeons eat fruits too. To answer your question: Yes, pigeons do eat a wide variety of fruits, including bananas, apples, berries, figs, cherries, oranges, etc.
That being said, there are a bunch of precautions that need to be taken before feeding pigeons fruits. And that’s exactly what this article is all about.
Here, we’ve delved into the fruits that pigeons like and fruits they should avoid. Also, how fruits should be presented in front of them to avoid accidents, and what benefits do fruits give to pigeons.
Let’s get started!
Looking for more articles about pigeon food:
Can You Give Pigeons Fruits?
As said earlier, even though a pigeon’s diet is mainly based on seeds, grains, and nuts, you can give them fruits too. They do love eating some fruits.
There are many nutritional benefits of feeding pigeon fruits, we’ll get into that later. For now, let’s focus on how you should give pigeons fruits.
Pigeon’s beak isn’t as strong as some other birds, therefore, eating some fruits on their own can be very difficult for them. However, your assistance can help them eat any fruit.
Plus, there are a bunch of other preparations that you need to take before feeding pigeons, here are what to do –
- Thoroughly wash the fruits so that there are no pesticides, dirt, or contaminants that can harm the pigeons.
- Cut the fruit into very small pieces so that pigeons can eat easily and don’t choke since they have small beaks and digestive systems.
- Don’t feed spoiled, moldy, or overripe fruits, these can lead to health issues.
- Though pigeons love eating some fruits, overeating fruits can cause health complications, so keep it moderate.
What Kind of Fruit Do Pigeons Eat?
There are a lot of fruits that pigeons eat and is safe for them to eat, here is a list of the most nutritious ones –
1. Berries
Pigeons like eating berries, probably because they are soft to peck with the beak and easy to digest. There are different types of berries that pigeons love eating, which are blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, and raspberries.
2. Apples
It’s not very common for pigeons to peck on whole apples to eat them since the skin might feel too hard to peck through. However, when sliced or diced, they do eat apples.
When feeding an apple, make sure the pieces are very tiny and the seeds are removed.
3. Grapes
These are hydrating fruits for pigeons, make sure to dice them and remove seeds before feeding pigeons to avoid choking.
4. Melons
In summer times, watermelons and cantaloupe can be fed to pigeons, it’s refreshing and they will happily eat it.
5. Cherries
These are sweet and pigeons like eating cherries. Ensure the pits are removed before feeding them and also make sure to not overfeed cherries.
6. Oranges
Though pigeons do eat oranges but, citrus foods can be bad for their digestive system. Therefore, it’s recommended to feed oranges to pigeons occasionally.
7. Banana
Pigeons will enjoy pecking through fully ripe bananas since they are soft. Cut a banana into 3 or 4 pieces without peeling the skin off and then give pigeons to nibble.
8. Pears
Ripe pears, diced into tiny pieces, can be a treat for some pigeons.
9. Plums and Peaches
Similar to the cherries, remove the pits and cut the cherries into small pieces, and pigeons would enjoy eating those.
10. Fig
Redneck pigeons just love eating figs more than any other pigeon breed. Before feeding the fig, make sure to remove the stem and cut the figs into tiny pieces.
See our in-depth “Pigeon Foods and Diet” article to learn what these urban birds eat. We cover their dietary habits and nutrition.
Can Pigeons Survive Solely on a Diet of Fruit?
No, pigeons can’t thrive only on a fruit-based diet. Pigeons are granivores, meaning their natural diet should include grains and seeds.
The reason why pigeons can’t survive only on fruits is that to grow healthy, they require some nutrients, which those fruits lack.
As a result, only a fruit-based diet will lead to several health problems such as nutritional deficiency, reproductive issues, weakened immune system, etc.
To grow properly and stay healthy, pigeons require proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals, which seeds and grains are filled with.
And some fruits can be given to pigeons with extreme caution since some hard fruits can choke them to death.
So before feeding them fruit, cutting or dicing the fruits into tiny pieces and then removing the seeds, stems, etc. would be the wise decision.
What Fruits Should Pigeons Avoid?
Pigeons will eat most fruits you give them, but are there any fruits that they should avoid? Sure, there is. There are some fruits that are not good for pigeons to eat, check them out –
Avocado
The first on the list is avocados, pigeons and most other birds shouldn’t eat this fruit.
Avocado contains persin, a substance that is very toxic to pigeons and many other birds. Therefore, eating this fruit can lead to several health problems, heart issues and respiratory distress are some of the common ones.
Cherries
It’s okay for pigeons to eat cherries as long as the seed or pit is removed. Since the seed contains a toxic compound called cyanide, when ingested, this can create health complications. With the pits or seeds, cherries are good to go.
Citrus Fruits
Fruits like oranges, limes, and lemons shouldn’t be given to pigeons or other birds often. Because these fruits are acidic and create digestion issues. However, occasionally (once in a month) in moderate amounts should not be of concern.
Stone Fruits
Fruits that have large seeds are categorized as stone fruits. Plums, Apricots, Peaches, etc. fall under this category. The seeds are big enough to choke pigeons and other birds. Therefore, if not prepared before feeding, avoiding these fruits is best.
Unripe and Overripe Fruits
It can be very hard for pigeons and other birds to eat and digest unripe fruits. Plus, unripe fruits might have some compounds that are not suitable for pigeons. Overripe fruits can also lead to stomach upset.
How Much Fruits Should Be Provided to a Pigeon in a Single Day?
Though some fruits are good for pigeons, overfeeding will only make things bad. Therefore, pigeons should be provided a small portion of fruit, and the majority part of the diet should be covered by grains and seeds.
Serve pigeons with only 28 grams of fruit a day. Thoroughly wash the fruits, make sure they are ripe, cut the fruits into tiny pieces, remove the seeds, and offer them. Avoid fruits that are not healthy for them.
What Are the Nutritional Benefits of Feeding Pigeons Fruits?
Even though fruits shouldn’t be the primary nutritional source for pigeons, they can serve some additional nutrients to pigeons, which will help in their growth.
Let’s have a look at the nutritional benefits of fruits on pigeons.
Vitamins
All fruits are rich in different vitamins, which are a must for the overall health of pigeons. Mainly, vitamins C, A, and B play a crucial role in the improvement of a pigeon’s health.
Antioxidants
Free radicals damage many cells in the body and antioxidants repair those cells. Many fruits contain a high amount of antioxidants, which can help protect pigeons from several health complications.
Hydration
Compared to most other foods, fruits are high in water content and can play a major role in keeping pigeons hydrated, especially in the summer seasons.
Dietary Fiber
The need for fiber in our body is undeniable, and it’s the same in the case of pigeons too. Some fruits contain a good amount of dietary fiber, which can serve several health benefits to pigeons. It improves gut health and digestion.
Minerals
Fruits are an excellent source of minerals that help in improving nerve function, muscle contraction, and maintaining the body’s electrolyte balance. Some fruits like bananas and figs that pigeons eat are high in magnesium and potassium.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can pigeons eat strawberries?
Strawberries don’t contain toxic components that are harmful to pigeons. Hence, yes, pigeons can eat strawberries. However, though they are safe to eat, the quantity should be very small.
2. Can pigeons eat blueberries?
Pigeons love eating berries and blueberries are one of them. Blueberries are also safe for pigeons to consume as long as the quantity is moderate.
3. Can pigeons eat apples?
Apple seed contains a toxic compound that can be harmful to pigeons. However, as long as the seeds are removed and the apple is diced into tiny pieces, it’s safe for pigeons to eat in moderation.
Conclusion
Did you go through the entire guide? Now you know do pigeons eat fruit or not. A few things you should take care of before feeding fruits to pigeons are removing the seeds, cutting the fruits into tiny pieces, and feeding food in moderation.
With that said, closing it up. Hope it helps. And for more content like this, make sure to connect with us via Pinterest, X, and Facebook.
