Do Pigeons Purr? How Can You Tell Whether They Are Purring?
We often associate purring with cats. And it’s quite normal to think such as that as cats are well-known for making this low-pitched vibratory sound when relaxing. But what about pigeons? Do pigeons purr?
Pigeons do purr. This continuous vibratory sound that the birds make is an indication that they are relaxed and feeling content. And sometimes, the purring sound of pigeons will be like soft grunting or warbling.
So, are there any other reasons associated with pigeons purring? And can humans be benefited from the purring sound of pigeons? Read through this entire discussion to learn all the answers!
Read more about pigeons behavior:
What Is Purring?
Before anything else, let’s understand what purring actually is. At its core, purring is a low-pitched sound that animals produce by fluttering their tonal sound. Cats are most known for this continuous vibratory sound.
To understand how animals make the purring, you have to take a look at the cats. These feline friends make the purring sound by rapidly contracting and relaxing the muscles within the larynx and diaphragm.
This rapid relaxation and contraction allow the vocal cords to vibrate. And eventually, the vibration leads to a low-frequency sound that we associate with purring.
Now, when it comes to why cats purr, the purpose is believed chiefly to express relaxation and contentment. And the case is pretty much the same for the pigeons.
See our in-depth “Pigeon Behavior” article to learn what these urban birds eat. We cover their dietary habits and nutrition.
Is a Pigeon’s Purr Audible to Humans?
You will not be able to hear a pigeon’s purr as easily as the purring of a cat. In comparison, the purring sounds that pigeons make are quieter. That means you will have to be very close to the pigeon in order to hear its purrs.
However, it is true that the purring sound of birds will vary in intensity and volume depending on the situation that they are producing the sound. Also, some pigeons can purr louder than others.
But, in short, you can hear a pigeon purr if you are nearby. Also, try to be in a place with minimal background noise. The purring sound will be challenging to catch with too much external noise.
How Do Pigeons Purr Compared to Other Animals?
As mentioned earlier, the purring sound of pigeons is quite different from the purrs of other animals. But it is not just the volume and the intensity of the sound. There are other differences. Take a look:
The Pattern of the Purrs
Let’s consider cats’ purring as a medium of comparison. The purring sound of cats is typically continuous. You will be able to hear the rumbling for quite a long period. However, pigeon purrs will generally be short. It may be just like a warbling sound.
Reason for Purring
The purring sounds of cats are primarily associated with contentment and relaxation. But the function of pigeon purring can be different. There’s no solid answer to why the pigeon’s purr. It might not be a clear sign of relaxation and contentment.
Intensity
Rabbits, cats, and guinea pigs can purr for a long time. And their purring can be very intense too. On the other hand, the intensity of pigeon purring will be fairly low. And most importantly, it will vary from one bird to another.
What Does It Mean When a Pigeon Purrs?
As stated earlier, the meaning behind pigeons’ purrs is not clearly known. However, sound can definitely have different functions. For example:
To Communicate
For pigeons, making sounds is one of the primary ways of communication. And that includes purring. Pigeons can make a low-pitched rumbling sound to communicate with their offspring, parents, and mates.
For Bonding
Purring in between pigeons can help them to strengthen social bonds between themselves. Some pigeons can even opt for purring during courtship and mating.
During Nesting and Caring the Offspring
Pigeons can purr when they are building a nest. Likewise, the parents can make a purring sound when caring for their younglings. It helps to calm and soothe the chicks.
Express Feelings
Like cats, pigeons can purr to state that they are relaxed and feeling content. However, to hear this relaxing sound, you will need to be very close to the pigeon. Also, make sure that you are in a quiet environment.
How Can Humans Benefit from Pigeon Purring?
According to different studies, cat purrs have healing powers. Many experts theorize that the purring sound helps people to gain a sense of calmness and peacefulness. But is the same thing true for pigeon purring?
Well, no scientific evidence suggests that humans can directly benefit from the purring sounds of pigeons. The thing is, pigeon purrs are not that well explored. But that doesn’t mean that their rumbling sound is not beneficial.
You can definitely find the purring sound of the birds enjoyable and calming. Furthermore, if your pet pigeon is purring when you are holding it, it can mean that they are comfortable with you cuddling it.
What Other Sounds Do Pigeons Make?
Purring is not the only sound that pigeons can make. Other than that, you can hear the birds making these verbal cues:
01. Cooing
Pigeons mainly communicate with each other through cooing. You can hear them making this call pretty much throughout the day. And like purring, cooing can have different meanings.
02. Bill Clapping Sounds
These birds tend to clap their bills when trying to be aggressive. It is often a warning sign, which will be towards an intruder or a predator. Pigeons can also clap their bills to establish dominance or defend their territories.
03. Wing-whistling
All birds make a sound when flying. And the pigeons are not an exception. Aside from that, pigeons can flap their wings around when they are trying to defend themselves from a predator.
04. Chattering
The chattering sound that pigeons make often tells that they are either excited or agitated. It can be either of the two. And when they are chattering out of agitation, there will be a potential presence of a threat.
05. Growling
Pigeons rely on growling sounds for defense. They can also growl or hiss when they feel threatened. Again, this sound tells that the bird is in danger or is sensing danger around them.
What Is the Difference Between Purring and Cooing?
Purring and cooing are not the same things for pigeons. While both are vocalization sounds, they differ in terms of intent and the type of sound.
Purring, as you know, is a low-frequency sound that pigeons can make for various reasons. It can be associated with relaxation and the feeling of contentment, like the cats. But it is not the primary form of communication.
Cooing, on the other hand, is specific for pigeons. It is a soft and rhythmic sound that pigeons make to relay their thoughts.
Purring and cooing do not have the same intensity and volume. For example, pigeon purrs are not that easy to hear. However, you can definitely hear the coos of the pigeons even if you are not close by.
Final Words
To summarize, the answer to the question of do pigeons purr would be a yes. Like cats, pigeons can make low-pitched vibration-induced sounds. But the meaning of pigeons purring and cat purring might not be the same.
So, that was all about the purring sounds of pigeons. If you want to catch more interesting discussions on such topics, please consider checking us out on your socials. You will find us on Twitter, and Pinterest.
Article Reference:
- Loc.gov/everyday-mysteries/zoology/item/why-and-how-do-cats-purr/
- Petkeen.com/do-birds-purr/
- Pets.webmd.com/cats/features/why-cats-purr
Image Credit: Canva.com/photos
