Why Do Pigeons Bow to Each Other?
If you have seen enough pigeons, you already know a little about their behaviors. But one activity that seems unusual is bowing. So, why do pigeons bow to each other?
Male pigeons bow towards the females during the courtship behavior. Before bowing, the males will puff up their neck feathers. And after lowering their heads, these birds will generally turn in circles.
Now, the question is, do other birds also bow towards each other, or is this a specific thing for pigeons? Keep on reading to find it all out.
Read more about pigeons behavior:
Why Do Pigeons Bow and Coo?
Pigeons have fascinating courtship behavior. To attract females, males perform a lot of acts, like, bowing. According to popular theory, bowing states that the male is interested in the female.
But the birds will often pair up bowing with cooing. Through the coos, the males get the attention of the female birds, while the bowing clarifies the purpose. And let’s remember that pigeons communicate through cooing.
So, if bowing is not enough to let the female know, the cooing does its part. Pigeons will also engage in courtship acts other than bowing and cooing. As mentioned earlier, these acts include going in circles and tail dragging.
See our in-depth “Pigeon Behavior” article to learn what these urban birds eat. We cover their dietary habits and nutrition.
Do Pigeons Mate for Life?
Once male pigeons can successfully get the attention of females, they will strengthen their bond by doing everything together. These activities include building a nest to live together, finding food, and visiting different areas.
After building a successful bond, the pigeons will mate for life. And they even do a proper job of parenting together. The birds will take equal responsibilities in caring for the offspring.
However, if, for any reason, a partner dies, the survivor will generally attempt to find another mate. But that is not always the case. Some birds can even live the rest of their life without a new partner.
Is Bowing Behavior Specific to Pigeons, or Do Other Birds Also Do It?
Bowing behavior is not specific to pigeons. Other birds also follow the same courtship behavior when looking for a mate. For example, many species of doves within the Columbidae family engage in a similar type of bowing act.
However, that does not mean the behavior is specific to the Columbidae family, which the pigeon belongs to. Some species of waterfowl, such as swans and ducks, do the same courtship behavior to attract females.
But, in comparison, the bowing behavior of swans and ducks differs slightly from that of pigeons. Their behavior can be best described as a “head dipping display” where the birds dip their head under the water.
How Does a Pigeon’s Bowing Behavior Differ from That of Other Birds?
Although the bowing behavior of some birds is thought to be for the same purpose, there are some differences. But what exactly makes the bowing behavior of pigeons unique? Let’s take a deeper dive:
Head Bobbing
During the courtship ritual, pigeons will often rhythmically bow their heads. Often characterized as head bobbing, this rapid movement is distinct for the pigeons. And other birds, even if they display the bowing behavior, will not nod their heads.
The Context
For pigeons, the bowing is considered a courtship display where the male tries to win a female’s heart. However, for some birds, the bowing can be an act of aggression. That is, through bowing, those birds can show dominance.
Cooing
As mentioned earlier, bowing and cooing are often paired up by pigeons. But the case is different for the other birds. For most, the bowing behavior will be limited to movements. In other words, there will be no vocalization.
What Environmental Factors Influence the Frequency of Bowing by Pigeons?
So, it is clear that pigeons will start displaying courtship behavior when they are ready to breed. And you can fully understand the factors that influence the frequency of bowing by understanding what makes them ready for breeding.
Seasonal Changes
Pigeons are known for breeding throughout the year. However, they often show courtship behavior more during the spring and summer. So, it goes without saying that you will notice pigeons frequently bow during those seasons.
Food Availability
These birds will not consider breeding if they do not thrive in the environment. The pigeons will not show courtship behavior if they are focused only on food and survival.
Habitat and Condition of the Environment
Although pigeons can easily adapt to different environments, sudden changes will affect their behavior. For example, when there is a drastic change in the temperature, the pigeons will likely focus more on survival instead of reproducing.
Likewise, when pigeons need to change their nesting area due to some reason, they will primarily work on building a nest. However, some pigeons can display the courtship acts before they have a proper nest.
Final Words
Why do pigeons bow to each other again? To recapitulate, bowing is a part of their courtship behavior. And through this, the males gain the attention of females and show that they are ready for breeding.
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Article Reference:
- Thehealthyjournal.com/faq/why-do-pigeons-bow-their-heads
Image Credits:
- Canva.com/photos
- Flickr.com/photos/richardghawley
