Do Pigeons Get Pregnant?
Pigeons are a very common sight in both urban and rural areas. Seeing how common they are, you might have asked yourself how they reproduce.
That is, do pigeons get pregnant? Pigeons do not get pregnant. Instead, they lay eggs and incubate them afterward. Female pigeons are known to reach sexual maturity when they are around 7 months of age. Then, they can lay 1 to 3 eggs.
That might make you wonder, how do pigeons reproduce? Also, how long does it take for a pigeon to lay eggs? If you want to venture through all these topics, you should keep reading.
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How Do Pigeons Reproduce?
The reproduction process of pigeons starts with a mating ritual. And, unlike some other birds, pigeons have a very organized ritual. The process begins with the male, where the bird shows a mating dance.
Through that, the male birds basically showcase how fit they are for breeding. Once the male captures the attention of the targeted female and the female accepts the male, they start their journey together.
After successfully forming a bond, pigeons will reproduce through the sexual reproduction process. This process basically involves the male mounting the female from behind and briefly touching the cloaca to transfer the sperm.
Here, the cloaca is the only opening on the pigeon’s body connected to the bird’s urinary, digestive, and reproductive tracts. Unlike mammals, pigeons do not have separate sexual organs. That is, both the female and male have the same opening.
In general, the sexual reproduction process will last for about 2 seconds. And once the male has deposited the sperm, the female’s body starts fertilizing. That eventually ends up with the female bird laying eggs.
How Long Does It Take for Pigeons to Lay Egg?
After a successful copulation, the female bird’s body will fertilize the sperm for about eight to twelve days. In other words, after eight to twelve days of mating, the female pigeon will lay one to three white eggs.
The time that the eggs take to hatch varies. However, in general, it takes about 18 days for pigeon eggs to hatch. Both the male and female take part in the incubation process. That’s why you will find the pair sticking around the nest together.
Wondering what the role of each bird is? The male will do its best to provide nesting materials and guard the female and the nest. Sometimes, the male will even lay on top of the eggs.
How Do You Know If a Pigeon Has Mated?
As discussed earlier, pigeons technically do not get pregnant. Instead, they lay eggs and incubate them afterward in their nests. However, it does take eight to twelve days for a female pigeon to lay eggs after mating.
That said, it is difficult to tell whether pigeons have mated or not. Generally, there is no behavioral change in either the male or female.
But knowing when pigeons mate can help. And the breeding season of pigeons is generally between March and July.
If a pigeon is with a mate in between this period and there are no eggs in the nest, it typically means that the pair has mated or is about to mate.
Also, you could wait eight to twelve days to see whether the pair mated. After that period, the female will lay eggs if it has mated. But do note that pigeons can lay eggs without mating. Those, of course, will be unfertilized.
Why Is My Pigeon Not Mating?
There are some factors that can explain why your pigeon is not mating. They are explained below:
01. Sexual Maturity
If your pigeon is not mating even when it has a mate, chances are that the bird has not reached sexual maturity yet. Remember, pigeons are not ready to mate before they are of 7 months of age.
02. Improper Health
Sometimes, pigeons will not reproduce even when they have reached sexual maturity. Typically, it is likely for not being in sound health. Lack of nutrition, too much stress, and diseases are the contributing factors in this regard.
03. Environmental Factor
The environment that the pigeons are in plays a crucial role in breeding. Pigeons will not mate like any other birds unless they are in a safe and secure nesting site. They must also have easy access to water and food.
Final Words
So, the answer to the question do pigeons get pregnant would be a no. Pigeons mate and lay eggs. They do not incubate the offspring inside their bodies. Instead, they will incubate the eggs after laying them.
Hopefully, this post has provided you with the answers you have sought. And if you have found the information discussed here helpful, please consider helping us grow. You can do that by connecting with us through Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
References:
- https://www.wild-bird-watching.com/Pigeons.html
- https://www.ovocontrol.com/pigeon-facts-figures
- https://www.wildlifeanimalcontrol.com/pigeonmate.html
Image Credit:
- Canva.com/photos
