Do Pigeons Live In The Wild?
Just as every bird species, pigeons were first discovered in the wild and they continued to live there for a very long time. Later on, they have been hugely domesticated for centuries. Now, so many of them are raised as indoor birds, which may make people wonder whether do pigeons live in the wild.
Yes; pigeons do live in the wild. Parts in the mountain area, near high cliffs, small woods, these places are the most common places where they usually reside.
There are other common inquiries about pigeons’ wild habitat, what they prefer when choosing a home, whether domesticated pigeons can survive in the wild, etc. In this article, we have tried to answer of these questions and other amazing facts. Without further delay, let’s get right into it.
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Are Pigeons Naturally Wild?
The ancestors of all pigeons we see today are from the wild. So pragmatically speaking, pigeons are naturally wild.
As people started to take an interest in these beautiful birds, they continued to tame more and more of them over the century. Since pigeons are small birds and like the luxury of indoor life, they thrive better in captivity.
Now after thousands of years of domesticating pigeons, most of the pigeons are bred and brought about entirely in confinement. They are raised and trained for different purposes such as pets, race, shows, exhibitions, etc.
However, there are still a large number of pigeons that are not pets and live in their natural wild territory.
Especially in suburban areas, these untamed pigeons are seen a lot. So, while there are plenty of them that are naturally wild, the number of tamed pigeons is not small either.
Where Do Pigeons Naturally Live?
Pigeons naturally live in places where they can build nests on higher ground. Living at a higher place keeps them safe from predators.
Usually closed and confined spaces are their favourite since it provides protection against strong wind, rain, storm, and other adverse weather conditions.
Food and water should also be readily available. If there are scarcity of food, they tend to move away to somewhere else.
In recent years, there has been a huge abundance of pigeons seen in suburban areas, near bridges, and other large structures.
Research has shown that it’s because of the leftover foods humans throw out. In addition, they also like hard surfaces, which makes them more interested in staying in such places.
Can Domestic Pigeons Survive in the Wild?
Domesticated pigeons are pigeons bred and raised in a controlled domestic environment and kept as a pet. Pigeons used for races shows, and exhibitions are also tamed. So, naturally, the question arises whether can a tame pigeon survive in the wild.
Domesticated pigeons are kept away from wild environment for the entirely of their life. It makes them untrained to survive in nature. Overall, they become more or less dependant on human for every aspect of their life.
Even for food and water, they are provided in the safety of their cage or loft. So naturally, their natural instinct to search and locate food and water sources in the wild is also gone.
Additionally, due to the long domestication process, they lose their survival instinct which also makes them easier targets to wild predators.
Nevertheless, susceptibility to natural diseases is also much higher for domestic pigeons. In captivity, they are provided balanced food, vaccines for common diseases, and routine checkups. It makes them more sensitive to sickness.
As a result, a high percentage of domestic pigeons die without proper medical attention, in the wild.
Considering all these factors, it’s safe to say the chances for domesticated pigeons to survive in the wild is very low. And even if they do survive despite these complications that will be for a very short while.
Can a Lost Racing Pigeon Survive in the Wild?
A big part of domesticated pigeons is used for racing. Pigeons have very high homing instinct which makes them impressively good at finding their way back home. But even then racing pigeons getting lost in the wild is not entirely unusual.
In fact, studies have shown that 5 out of 10 pigeons get lost from racing competitions. Which raises the question “can a lost racing pigeon can survive in the wild?” The answer is both yes and no, depending on some factors.
Let’s take no for an answer first. The main reason for a racing pigeon not surviving in the wild is starvation. As we’ve already said, pigeons raised in captivity almost always lose their instinct to locate potential food and water sources.
So unless there’s one in plain sight, they are most likely to starve and die after a few days.
Lost pigeons are also an easier target for wild predatros like owls, hawks, falcons, etc due to their reduced self-preservation instinct. Even the ability to fly high doesn’t entirely protect them from predation.
Collectively, the lack of skills can make them highly vulnerable in the wild. However, there are some instances where they can live for a long time, especially when they can find a wild flock in passing.
Many researchers have found out that lost racing pigeons that got accepted in these types of wild flocks had a much higher lifespan than one that is stranded alone.
By hanging out with the flock, the lost pigeon may regain some of its natural survival instincts.
Being in a group also makes them more guarded against predation. Locating food and water is easier as well. And after some time, they can get fully accustomed to the wildlife and survive well like wild pigeons.
What Is the Natural Habitat of Pigeons in the Wild?
In the list of wild habitats for pigeons, the most common is near rocky cliffs and ledges, mostly inside small caves or any small openings. These places are usually higher up from the ground and thus discourage predators from approaching.
Normally, their ideal habitat has a large food source nearby, like a grain field, small tropical woods with tons of fruits available, etc.
They are also fond of rainforests due to the abundance of natural food and insects. You can find large groups of wild pigeons on most islands near the water.
Some other common pigeons’ habitats are mangrove forests, small wood, vast open land, and even deserts.
Note that, pigeons tend to migrate to another place if food and water become scarce. So, it’s common for pigeons to come back to a place after years of living somewhere else.
You can read our article about “Pigeon Habitat“
How Long Do Pigeons Typically Live in the Wild?
Pigeons’ typical lifetime in the wild depends on whether they are feral or tamed. Wild pigeons have an average lifespan of about 3-5 years in their natural abode.
Pigeons will make nests, especially near lakes and trees around mildly populated areas. But they can leave a place if the food and water runs out. So, basically, they can’t live long in the wild.
On the flip side, domestic pigeons are not familiar with forests and wild environment. Wild piegons are often fall a victim to starvation, diseases, predation, harsh environment, etc. As a result, wild pigeons have much lower lifespan compared to domestic ones.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can pigeons survive without humans?
Wild pigeons can survive without humans with no trouble. On the other hand, domesticated pigeons are highly dependent on human caregivers for food, shelter, health care, etc. As a result, they are defenseless and don’t survive without human.
2. What kind of food do wild pigeons typically eat?
As natural omnivores, pigeons usually eat seeds, small bugs, and various fruits without any problem.
Their primary diet in the wild includes Grains, sunflower seeds, millet, corn, berries, leafy greens, herbs, bananas, watermelons, small insects, snails, spiders, ants, etc. In suburban areas, they eat human leftovers as well.
3. What types of places do they live in?
Pigeons prefer higher places to live in since it helps protect them from predators. They also tend to look for places that have food and water available nearby.
In the wild, it’s mostly holes in trees, small caves, or on cliffs where they make nests. Whereas, in the urban areas, they are seen to live inside bridges, on top of buildings, and inside other structures.
Conclusion
It’s quite impressive how pigeons have evolved from naturally wild birds to one of the most common domestic birds. Even though we mostly see them in the town, city, or suburban areas, there are amazing facts about their natural habitat and how they survive.
Hopefully, you got all queries cleared about whether do pigeons live in the wild.
Reference
- https://community.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/f/all-creatures/276396/racing-pigeon-nesting-with-wild-pigeon
- https://www.wonderopolis.org/wonder/how-do-homing-pigeons-find-home
