Why Do Pigeons Make Weird Noises?
You can hear pigeons make a lot of noises other than just cooing. Sometimes, the sounds that they produce can seem a little weird. But is there any meaning to these peculiar sounds? If so, why do pigeons make weird noises?
Vocalization is the main form of communication for pigeons. So, the weird noises that pigeons make have a meaning. They might make these sounds to attract a mate, warn others, and get your attention.
In other words, pigeons make a specific sound to convey something particular. If you want to know what each sound means, you would like to keep reading.
Read more about pigeon behaviors:
Do All Pigeons Make the Same Noises?
All pigeons make the same cooing sounds. And the coos of all the pigeons sound the same. However, some pigeons can produce unique sounds. For example, the cooing of a mourning pigeon will not be the same as that of a regular bird.
Furthermore, some individual pigeons within a particular species may have their own variation of familiar sounds. But overall, the sounds that the pigeons make highly depend on the behavior and context.
See our in-depth “Pigeon Behavior” article to learn what these urban birds eat. We cover their dietary habits and nutrition.
What Sounds Do Pigeons Make? What Do They Mean?
As mentioned earlier, pigeons can make a wide range of sounds. While some might sound weird, some will be very natural. Let’s go through each of them to better understand the context of the sounds:
01. Cooing
The primary form of communication for pigeons is cooing. And these birds can convey different messages through cooing. For example, they can coo to attract a mate during breeding.
02. Squeaking and Whistling Sounds
You will generally hear baby pigeons making whistling and squeaking sounds. But can’t they make the cooing sound? No, baby pigeons can not coo until they are seven to eight weeks old.
The baby pigeons generally make squeaking and whistling sounds to grab the parents’ attention. Typically, these sounds state that the squabs are hungry.
03. Grunting
Like other birds, pigeons have a good perception of danger. When they sense trouble, they will start grunting. This sound can be a form of communication between the pigeons, which warns others about the potential danger.
That said, the grunting sound of a pigeon will usually be short and not dragged out like a coo. And until they feel safe, they will keep on grunting.
04. Hissing Sounds
Yes, pigeons can also make hissing sounds. However, you will not generally find adults making this particular noise. Instead, it will be the newborn pigeons. Wondering why they make the hissing sounds?
Like adults, baby pigeons can sense danger. And when a predator is nearby, the squabs will try to defend themselves by hissing at it.
05. Clapping Sounds
Pigeons can make a clapping sound with their wings. They slap the muscles of their wings and feathers together to create this sound. And these birds will typically make this sound if something nearby surprises them.
06. Whistling Sound During Flight
A normal takeoff for pigeons will produce a soft whistle. However, they will abruptly flap their wings and quick take off from the ground when danger is nearby. That will eventually create a sharp whistling sound.
07. Stomping Sounds
Pigeons can make several movements with their bodies. They will generally produce a thumping sound with their feet when they feel threatened. It can also be because something has caught into their feet, and they want to take it out.
What Does It Mean When Pigeons Coo Loudly?
Pigeon coos are generally rhythmic and pleasing to hear. However, in some cases, they can coo loudly. For example:
01. To Establish Territory
These birds are very territorial. And they will do whatever it takes to defend their nesting site. Now, when an intruder tries to barge in, the first thing pigeons do is coo loudly. This acts as a warning and set dominance over the other bird.
02. To Attract a Mate
Pigeons will stick to a series of movements and vocalizations while courting a female. And to get the attention of a potential mate, the male pigeon can coo loudly. That is why you will hear a lot of coos during the mating season.
03. To Bond
The bonding between the pigeons strengthens over time. For pigeons, one way of boding is cooing loudly when the pair is together. That is, loud cooing indicates that the couple is affectionate towards each other.
How to Stop Pigeons Making Noise?
There are a couple of things that you can try to make pigeons stop making noises. They are described below:
Give Attention If the Pigeons Are Pets
As you know, pigeons can make grunting and hissing sounds when they sense danger. If the birds are pets, giving them attention is the best way to make them stop making sounds. Make them feel safe.
Remove Food Source
If the pigeons making noise are not pets and you want to drive them away, you should remove the food source first. Pigeons will not roost or nest in areas where they can’t have easy access to food.
Install Bird Netting
Another method that works well in driving pigeons away is bird netting. It will enable you to hinder the pigeons from roosting or landing in specific areas. You could install the netting on your roof.
Block Access to Nesting Areas
Roofs, ledges, and solar panels are the favorite spots to nest. Blocking access to these spots will allow you to keep your home safe from pigeons. And when no pigeons are around, you will not have to deal with their noises.
Final Words
To summarize, looking into the context and behavior can make understanding why pigeons make weird noises easier. And generally, the odd noises will be due to danger or threat.
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Article References:
- Prokill.co.uk/blog/why-do-pigeons-coo/
- Popsci.com/animals/pigeon-watching-rosemary-mosco-excerpt/
Image Credit:
- Canva.com/photos
